What do I do as a CPS social worker?

What do I do asa CPS Social Worker? Where do I work? Join me as I show you around my office and explain my role as a Permanency Social Worker.
Connect with Tephaney on IG: Tephaney Stewart
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via email: [e-mail]

[@Devyouz]

I work as a children’s social worker in Southern California and you explained the role of a social worker very well. I also did not do my undergrad in social work. I majored in Psychology for my undergrad. Keep up the good work being a social worker is a demanding but rewarding job.

[@ShannonMcLaughlin_PsyD]

You seem like such an amazing caseworker. I have been on the other side of this and temporarily lost my kids. I’ve seen so many horror stories about CPS and foster care but I had the most beautiful experience! My children’s foster mother has become a bonus mom in their lives and my caseworker has been my cheerleader along the way! Such a hard job but you’re doing the best thing for the children!

[@Frenchman27801]

You are very fortunate

[@stilletostoner967]

Omg the lunch, purse, and just remembering you have court!! The life of a CPS worker 😂

[@Wynter_Bella]

So glad you uploaded this video that’s exactly what I want to do

[@spokanemom47]

Thank you for the making the video! I am considering Social Services, but am not sure which area I'd want to work in. Your day as a CPS worker sounds very involved with families...Kudos to you for keeping up with it! I work as a CNA with the elderly and enjoy helping others, so felt that Social Services would/might be a good fit.

[@babs4767]

You may want to explore APS (Adult Protective Services). I was a CNA who ended up with a position as a Family Support Worker for foster care (associate), which is why I've chosen the career path. I'm 2 semesters away from my MSW. It's an option for you. FYI, in my state Family Support Workers have to have a CNA license just in case they are going to work for APS.

[@TMKSMITH]

I'm starting an MSW program this Fall and I'm super excited about the field of Social Work! Great video thank you for the inside look.

[@TephaneyStewart]

You're so welcome! Good luck!!!!

[@mrsandersonbryant1]

I was just offered a job as a CPS worker and I accepted!! I’m very excited! I will be following your videos because they are very informative and encouraging!!

[@mp-bv1iq]

How is the job going?

[@kdoddieTR]

Update?

[@tashikaandrews4961]

That’s the reason I’m here How is it going for you?

[@SaleSarajlija]

Greetings from your colleague north of the border:). It is interesting how you have different titles and role descriptions for the stages of protection involvement in the US. Thank you for this great video. Cheers from Toronto, Canada🇨🇦.

[@starboytray1845]

Great video. Especially for an aspiring CPS worker such as myself

[@juanitohair1353]

Look how calm and happy u are!!! Ur amazing

[@manuellandaeta6099]

I have questions we need to be us citizen for work social worker cps

[@juanitohair1353]

@@manuellandaeta6099 NO , just have education and green card

[@_mina24]

Thanks for the information!! Would you say there is growth opportunities with pay increase? And how do you like it? Is it ever dangerous? I'm considering this career path and have so many questions!

[@MrKrabs-nv3vr]

It’s definitely smoke and controversy behind cps work, but I have no dog in this fight. All I can say is she has potential to be a very successful KZbinr from her descriptiveness. Very detailed!

[@pamm299]

I’ve watched videos against CPS. A lot of these parents are very oppositional and just make it harder. Thank you for all you do!🙏💜

[@dereklangseth9485]

they have no right to steal your children. social workers make it hard by lying to the court.

[@GraceLibby]

Great video; thank you! I am considering going back to school for my MSW and have an interest in child welfare.

[@dereklangseth9485]

then have your own kids. help in a church. dont get roped into the nasty world of social work.

[@SHINeefan17]

All’s they want to do is steal children and destroy families.

[@aaaaad6528]

Wow this was so educational. Thank you for sharing about visiting them at their placement locations. I just figured it would be local

[@sheilaloftin6242]

I’m in an MSW program now and an interview for a case manager position in Ga this week. I don’t have much experience. My b.a was in human development but I really hope I get the job. I really want to work with children and make sure they are safe.

[@officialholmes5]

slicksis that’s good! I hope you got it

[@judyr25]

I am interested in doing this as well but I’m unsure of what colleges are my best option and how many years it is of study. Can you help me ?

[@nicecoolmarsha]

Judy Gomez I am in the works of getting my BSW and the best advice that I can give you based off of what I was told is to honestly research the different schools and familiarize yourself with the programs to see if they suit your interests/needs. After that try meeting with the social work coordinator of that school in order to further discuss the program as well as a theoretical personalized plan for you and the time frame in which that plan can or should be executed. If you have prior secondary schooling I definitely recommend bringing your transcript to the coordinator to see if there are any classes that can be transferred over for the credits to avoid having to retake the same class.

[@TephaneyStewart]

For a lot of places you only need a Bachelors of Arts in a human service related degree...social work, psychology, sociology etc. For other the require at least a bachelors degree in specifically social work. It depends on where you live or are trying to work.

[@TephaneyStewart]

Did you get it?! I hope so!

[@kellsliving3220]

this is what I have in mind im going to be returning to college yahhh

[@lusactioncircle8660]

New subbie here! CPS is great experience! This was an awesome video, I love the editing! I do classroom therapy and social work content videos! Would love to connect!

[@TephaneyStewart]

Thank you! Classroom therapy, that sounds interesting...if you have videos posted I’ll check out some of your content.

[@jerriehlert5058]

Ok I have a question plz what if the parent didn't receive the paperwork you decide on thing they need to do to get there children back,

[@basybas2978]

Love this video and I just subscribed !! ❤️❤️

[@MzLila-dm3bc]

Thank you for this insight. I am graduating with my BSW this may and just applied at my county CPS to become a social worker. It seems like a lot of work but i got this. Hopefully i get the job

[@TephaneyStewart]

Fingers crossed for you

[@MzLila-dm3bc]

@@TephaneyStewart thanks. I ended up getting a job as a family advocate at a head start.

[@CollinMakoto]

This was so helpful to understand the process. Your explanation was so well done.

[@michellysilva5729]

Very informational, thank you. I’m starting my MSW and I’m researching my field placement options.

[@dragonflyinamber]

Hey girl, I love this video. As a new foster parent it's fascinating to see what goes on from the social worker's perspective. Have you ever disagreed with a judge's decision to either reunite or terminate the rights between child and family? And at least in LA County there's a high turnover rate among the social workers. What keeps you from getting burned out?

[@TephaneyStewart]

There’s a high turnover rate where I’m at as well. And I’m burned out all the time, I look forward to holidays, so I can get a 3 day weekend to just rest and reset. I have no plans to retire in this sector, it’s a dangerous and taxing job. We do not get to carry any form of protection, but are sent out to crack and meth houses, we meet with addicts and parents who have been unsafe because of their violate behaviors. We remove children...and parents are never just like: HERE take my kid. And there have been times where I disagree with the judge. There’s nothing I can do about it but follow the court order. 100% if I say terminate and the parent is given additional time, we ended up terminating service a few months later, as I originally suggested. Now times where I would like to reunify and return the child and the judge says no and places the child for adoption...those are the ones that have really stuck with me and hurt my heart.

[@dragonflyinamber]

@@TephaneyStewart Bless you for doing what you do for the children because walking into potentially volatile situations aint for me. Please tell me that your tiny self has a police officer with you when you go to remove the children. It must be hard to know the judge has made the wrong decision and be powerless to do anything about it. Again, I'm so happy that there are people like you dedicated to your job (for as long as you can do it) because nothing about it seems easy.

[@bealoved6550]

@@TephaneyStewart Jesus😮‍💨😥😳🙏🏾For your safety! I really want to take courses in Health and Human Services! I started watching videos today, I want to work with the Woman and Children’s shelter, or something in that area! I’m wondering if you could start over would you do this all over again, and is this worth a 28,000 dollar tuition?

[@m.elakecheawantang9287]

@@TephaneyStewart Do you need an MSW or is a Bachelors Degree good enough? How long does it typically take to get hired?

[@ohmilanticocean6075]

I feel you with the kids TESTING

[@deannaespinoza1628]

I'm thinking about being a social worker. Getting my degree.

[@madarabassey1772]

Hi , I just saw your video and it was quite informative and interesting to watch. I am a recent grad and hoping to learn alot in the field. Thanks alot for this.

[@sandrajerome-severe3953]

Thank you for your video. I have a better understanding what a CPS Social Worker go through during the day. I am trying to adoption and I find this process very stressful. I know my SW might be overwhelmed, but the communication i or keeping me up to date with information is horrible.

[@TephaneyStewart]

Yeah, sometimes we are so overwhelmed we can unintentionally put many foster parents, and sometimes even the low maintenance families on the back burner in efforts to meet the needs of high need children and parents and other bureaucratic case load demands “that must be done”. It’s unfair to those that are not tended to as much during that time...I’m sorry for your experience, hope it gets better! If you have any questions that I can help with, I’m all ears!

[@juliannagarcia4806]

You are literally doing exactly what I wanna do. I just got accepted to my BSW program of choice. Once I get my MSW, I hope to be doing what you do. And be an adoptive parent too! Thank you for making this so informative

[@sheilabalboa9968]

Hello! I really enjoyed your videos. Highly considering a job with the agency. Can you give me heads up on the questions that would be ask in a interview?

[@hannahtaylor854]

They had to go to Africa! So crazy!

[@axion_pictures]

Excellent video! What state are you in and just for clarification you are not a case worker for DCFS but for Child protective services? I work with a lot of case managers as a GAL and always wanted to understand their slice of the pie. Very informative!

[@latoyadavis7707]

She is a social worker, case managers and social workers are different.

[@ornellatv2380]

Ur voice is so cute great video gave me a good look at the job I wanna get into this to help children

[@ohmilanticocean6075]

When you spilt everything... that's also me hitting the breaks

[@candihar4388]

Is the alternative response caseworker for CPS the same as a investigator? Thank you for answering 😊

[@TephaneyStewart]

Do you mean emergency response social workers? I’m not sure what an alternative response worker is. But different states may have different names. ER social workers do complete investigations, however, they aren’t the only social workers (in the county I live), that may do so.

[@kamilahshrel1520]

Hello! Thank you so much for this video. Please do more! I am currently in school for social work and I have a huge passion for kids but for that same reason I’m scared I would be too emotional. How do you deal with gruesome stories? Are you able to still find joy after your work day?

[@RDavis-bx8oc]

How large are your caseloads?

[@crystalarroyo6841]

Can you help me I need help I don’t understand when a cps says something then they say otherwise in the paper work

[@Marthasweetss]

what did you major in? school journey / requirements?

[@angelapreciousworld]

Amazing

[@SpadesWinner]

Can they still do home visits after case been closed?

[@reniki1053]

Hi, ik im 3 years late but i wanted to see what cps does because when 8 graduate hs i wanted to do that job.

[@erinhenthorn3827]

Your job sounds so busy and so complicated! Thank god for people like you. Do you have an MSW? Did you have a lot of additional training for this position too?

[@TephaneyStewart]

No, I have a bachelors degree. And there was no training when I started...just shadowed a peer for about 3 days and was then given a full caseload lol.

[@stephaniesanchez2057]

Tephaney Stewart wow

[@jasminesanders6034]

@@TephaneyStewartwow I accepted to work at CPS to gain experience and I’m so nervous because this would literally be my first job as a social worker. I graduated with my bachelor and did my internship at a domestic violence shelter back in 2020. I don’t have my license yet. To know they don’t train you is scaring me lol. They just basically throwing us to the wolves.

[@Hollysasko]

You are so pretty! Im about to start as a caseworker and im so nervous

[@juanitohair1353]

Ur awesome

[@kdoddieTR]

Can you do an update video since the Pandemic?

[@WALKINGBYFAITH144]

Very insightful video I can only imagine how stressful your job is I tip my hat off to you blessings 🙏

[@beautynbrainzxo]

Very informative! So, if your child is relocated to another state.. does the organization pay for your travel expenses?

[@paigeturner6585]

Did you say 9th supervisor in 2 years? That is so crazy! We adopted our daughter from foster care and had four caseworkers in three years so I knew there was turnover there but didn't realize that turnover trickled down from management. How does that affect you as a subordinate having supervisors shift so often? Does it make your job that much more difficult? Thanks for your video.

[@TephaneyStewart]

I have had 3 really good supervisors, and the rest were works in progress or just horrible, and in one case emotionally and verbally abusive. But the quality of your supervisor definitely impacts your work performance. You cannot submit court reports without supervisor signatures and if your supervisor is unskilled and slow...or non productive, then it impacts your timeliness and the families on your caseload. Or if you have difficult families and scenarios, you rely on your management to support you and assist in making tough decisions...but like I said if they are unqualified, they can lead you astray. So that the Lord for my own good and sound decision making skills.

[@Kortezzy1989]

Thank you for your video! I am in the process of going from an RFA social worker to a “line” social worker. I am excited to learn something knew but also nervous hearing everyone say “good luck” 🤣 I expect the job to have lots of demands. Would you say the work is manageable?

[@mettaalpha8551]

Do you like the job? What hours do you work?

[@TheZebrasBeauty]

Ignorance really breeds ignorance 😅 some of y’all didn’t watch the video and it shows. ANYWHO- clearly you’re a very educated woman and I aspire to be like you within my career!

[@lshorter5683]

In can tell that you are sweet and young in the field. There is so much more to know and understand. Social work policy and Best practices should be taught to social workers more. Adoption/tpr for us was a last resort. Reunification and Prevention was key. It is law that reasonable efforts be made with the biological parents to prevent removal and to reunite with biological family. Parents are out numbered and unprotected from legal abuse and the children interest is decided by everyone else except the child and their family. Social workers are the underdogs in cps. Thats prevention protection and preservation services. Social workers have lost the art of advocacy in pursuit of a career. It is policy that parents have the right to family team meeting where they can negotiate plan and be involved in their case plan in efforts of reunification. If we have more TPR than reunification.. Something is wrong. Someone isnt doing their job. Something is seriously 💔....our families.

[@TephaneyStewart]

I agree with you. Is there something in my video that may have suggested what we do and promote is removal and adoption? The video isn’t 100% all inclusive of what CPS Social Workers do, but I tried to condense it for the sake of time. Perhaps it led to a misconstruing of the job description from your perspective? I most definitely advocated for families and hosted TDMs and CFTs to make sure every voice, especially the family’s, is heard and supported. However, by the time most cases get to me (Reunification), prevention is over, removal for the safety of the child is required, and it’s time for intervention. Work with the family and offer tools needed in hopes of addressing the issue that brought them to the attention of the Court in the first place. Ideally, we can reunify families. If not, permanency via adoption (with another family member, friend of the family or perhaps a stranger) is not only what the law requires, but is appropriate, as all children deserve a safe, stable, loving and permanent home environment.

[@starcat811]

I’m thinking of calling CPS on my parents they don’t abuse me but my mom hurts my dad a lot she is bipolar and I just want out of the house I’m 14 years old and I have to her my mom yelling ( when she is mad and when she doesn’t get enough attention she just yells aaaaa) or banging on walls my parents have got cops called but they never talk to me and I have never talked to a social worker are home is always a mess and I’m thinking just to wait tell it’s all bad like when they’re is muggiest in the kitchen so CPS see it’s not a good environment and I guess I just want to move out of here

[@dereklangseth9485]

stick it out. dont give these social workers the pleasure of breaking up another home. u could end up somewhere worse. sick people sign up for foster care to hurt and neglect kids.

[@DoDo-yl3io]

Please try grandma or another relatives first. If your house is a mess try helping your mom meanwhile hopefully things will get better.

[@AAGoldstein]

I am so torn between CPS or Parole and Probation when I graduate. Three months to go.

[@kdoddieTR]

What did you choose?

[@jaclyngranberry419]

I’m currently in high school and want to continue my education after high school to become a CPS social caseworker.. I wanted to ask what types of classes(what got you to where you are now) do you have to take and for how long?

[@TephaneyStewart]

Many counties prefer to hire someone with a social work degree, but will also hire someone who majored in a human services degree such as sociology and psychology to become a social worker. It’s a 4 year degree program. (But it’s best to check your specific state and county’s requirements so that you are meeting them, as they very state to state)

[@hercourttv4819]

Question?.. What is a parent to do if a case worker does wrong doing and is caught falsifying records ? Who is that reported to ?

[@TephaneyStewart]

They can contact their local Ombudsman, or contact management and follow the chain of command if there is no recourse: The workers immediate supervisor -> program manager -> district manager -> regional manager.

[@boostedbeast3359]

Nobody listens and you'll keep getting the run around, and eventually you'll piss people off and things will only get worse. GL

[@hercourttv4819]

@@boostedbeast3359 Sounds about right.. There is zero accountability

[@hercourttv4819]

@@TephaneyStewart We have heard and witnessed feed back from going to higher ups and showed documentation , after submitting the records there was zero response in regards..

[@boostedbeast3359]

@@hercourttv4819 its sad that everyone involved, therapist, instructors, etc all know how cps is corrupt and all they care about is a paycheck. I've learned that the kids aren't even a priority. Its sad

[@ritadanowski9147]

What is a Behavioral Contract? Or behavioral Agreement?? Because my Case is about Mental Health.. But my Case was NEVER Substantiated and now because of an argument with the caseworker after she lied to me.. and had me comply with all these extra things 2years in at the very end of this case with my 5year the 22month mark.. when i've never had one prior to this.. just because we don't agree and she was lying to me in text messages then came to my visit early when i was not phsycially aggetated or anything i was very verbally texting alot.. my daughter was on the computer that was it.. but i was very pissed at her for lying that when she showed up to get my children early i was phsycailly so upset i stood on the other side of the table and consistently told them to get the fk out and not to touch me and no.. this is messed up leave! the caseworker i was mad at lied to me.. and led me on.. made me trust her.. then she put in her two weeks after locking me into a job she knew never owuld be enough by telling me my hours would remain like this with my kids.. and promised to provide housing resources that this job would be enough.. the leading casemanager then said that she reliazed this plan would not work and was going to give my aunt gaurdianship it was crayz

[@beyondbrotherhood6124]

I started working in Indian child welfare as a permanency worker two years ago. It’s something that I never wanted to do as veterans are my preferred clientele but, I feel like ICW is right where I’m suppose to be. While getting my BSW I started a non-profit that consists of veterans who help other veterans. Social work is such a rewarding career and I wouldn’t want to do anything else. Great video!

[@shaniaedwards388]

What did you major in for your undergrad

[@nicecoolmarsha]

Hi! I’m not sure if this may help. But there are A LOT of social workers who did not major in social work for undergrad. Some of those majors can include human services, sociology, psychology and lots more! I definitely recommend researching which majors can coincide with the career field of social work!

[@TephaneyStewart]

You are correct!

[@TephaneyStewart]

Sociology, Children’s Studies and Spanish. My county does not require a Social Work degree...but you get paid more if you have a MSW, although we do the same exact work and have the same amount of cases 😒😂

[@blessingchinazor407]

Ok great introduction my question goes like this what are the work of social worker on foster care

[@juanitohair1353]

Slay

[@angiela3439]

Pretty much the same in my county but you are lucky...We (foster care/ permanency specialists) make the case plans not the court. We then have to submit the case plan at a disposition hearing to be accepted, denied or altered by the Judge. But yes hunty I feel you...its ALOT we do...you gotta have thick skin dealing with parents, children, providers, therapist, teachers, Judges, attorneys, extended family, fictive kin, casa, so on and so on AND so on🤦🏾‍♀️God bless you not everyone can do what we do.

[@Bsavagee25]

Are you a social worker or a CPS caseworker?

[@TephaneyStewart]

Where I'm at (Northern California), CPS Social Workers are actual Child Protective Services Social Workers, and this can be further broken down by Department (Permanency Social Worker, Emergency Response Social, Adoption Social Worker etc). Our county does not have "case workers" and then "social workers". I heard this is the case in other states though.

[@itsbritt9155]

Tephaney Stewart i think what they meant is do you have a BSW or MSW ? Did you actually study social work and have the letters behind your name to show you are an actual social worker, meaning if you left this job you would still be a social worker , not just someone who has experience working within in social services . I’m on the east coast though and here to call yourself a social worker you actually have to have that degree and hours behind your name.

[@soulkiss1001]

On Long Island CPS are not called social worcers but are called Case worcers

[@tinasmart3378]

What state do you work in?

[@sarap4443]

I believe she says she's in California during the video. I could be wrong though!

[@TephaneyStewart]

I’m in California

[@kenziek5489]

How many of years of schooling did you have to do? And also what did you major in?

[@helenmurphy3143]

SHES HUMANE

[@juanitohair1353]

❤️❤️❤️❤️🐝🐝🐝💋💋💯

[@nikinice8571]

How long was your training and how long have you been in this field of CPS.

[@TephaneyStewart]

Training? What training? Lol when I came on I shadowed another social worker who had been there maybe two months. I followed her around for a week. That’s it. 😂 (I know right) Now they have an entire onboarding process… And I have worked social services/social worker/case management since 2008…with 6 years specifically with CPS.

[@nikinice8571]

@@TephaneyStewart I just started and boy o boy. Feel like I jumped out of the fire ING pan into the fire.

[@barryshackelford6549]

Listen to what criminals say.

[@branver1172]

Do you need a MSW to do this job?

[@courtneyc.4016]

No.

[@crystalbenjamin6457]

Your skin😻😻

[@esonon5210]

I'm curious to know how someone like Gabriel Fernandez slipped through the cracks on all of this.

[@liyadanae.9288]

His case is the reason i want to become a social worker

[@TephaneyStewart]

Not all social workers are good social workers and sometimes good social workers make huge mistakes…. and innocent lives are impacted or lost because of it. Unfortunately it happens more often than the public knows.

[@esonon5210]

@@TephaneyStewart that’s horrible, especially considering that mistakes can cost someone’s life and you guys are the only ones with the authority to remove children, without it being considered kidnapping.

[@amberbaesler4477]

FYI miss social worker. Your child was not properly restrained in his car seat! Chest peice was not properly placed!!!!! And seriously was it safe to play on your phone while driving with your child in the car????????? 😑

[@soulkiss1001]

It doesnt seem smart to put your own son in a public video s in this video

[@MaricellaAlaniz]

Quit selling your soul for profit!

[@keajaalexander5429]

What do u mean by that? Just asking

[@amberbaesler4477]

The goal is to terminate parental rights for that FUNDING.... TELL THE TRUTH DONT MAKE EXCUSES AS TO WHY ADOPTION IS THOUGHT OF FIRST WHEN PLACING A CHILD.

[@amberbaesler4477]

Here's a question how come after I assert my rights I'm refused due process? My child has the right to a lawyer present during any questions. Cease and desist. I have the right to act in my child's best interests and cps is definitely NOT IT. ALWAYS RECORD REFUSE ENTRY AND CALL A LAWYER. DO NOT LISTEN TO THIS CRAP!!!!

[@jasonhylnd001]

Let me guess: remove children from loving homes for reasons such as mismatched socks, minor scratch from falling off a bike, or just plain hearsay?

[@krazyhannie]

jasonhylnd001 really? Don’t act stupid.

[@jasonhylnd001]

Telling the truth is not stupid.

[@TheZebrasBeauty]

jasonhylnd001 I hope you have training in the field before you speak. Because clearly you have no idea what you’re talking about 😂 are there bad social workers? Yes! There’s bad in every profession. The GOAL of social work is to reunite families and help. Educate yourself and do better.

[@jasonhylnd001]

Failed attempt to insult try again little girl. I speak the truth but obviously you're too sheltered to see because if you weren't you would be more understanding of why myself and many others have a sour opinion about CPS with their constant corruption and removing children from loving homes. Get out from your parents basement.

[@TheZebrasBeauty]

jasonhylnd001 I’m an adult and was not trying to insult you, I’m better than that. I also live in my own place which I pay for myself. I guess the failed attempt is on your end? I’m actually not sheltered at all. I’m well aware there are problems within the system/profession (ex- Gabriel Fernandez case) but I’m just not ignorant enough to believe all social workers are horrible because of a few sour experiences. I myself, as a social worker, don’t plan to remove children from “loving homes”, but rather from abusive/neglectful ones. Having lived in both myself, I think I know the difference. Have a nice day, sir.

[@blahblah941]

“Valit” is not a word. It’s “Valid”.

[@natashamurray66]

you destroy peoples lives take children from loving parents