Child Welfare Services (CWS), formerly known as Child Protective
Services, is operated through the Santa Barbara County Department of Social
Services. This program investigates reports of child abuse and
neglect in the local community.
CWS works with families
toward keeping children safe, which sometimes calls for removal of the child
from the home. Referrals are made to appropriate agencies for
counseling, parenting classes or other services to reunite the
family.