Child Protective Services Involvement with Drug Addicted Mothers: How it is Correlated with Socio-Economic Class

Abstract

Child Protective Services (CPS) is a government run agency that has been in existence for over 50 years. The agency responds to reports of abuse and neglect of children and intervenes when it is necessary to ensure the safety of the child(ren). Families who struggle with drug addiction often have contact with CPS, sometimes resulting in having their children removed to foster care. There is a question whether or not the agency is serving all families equally. This paper focuses on the involvement of CPS with drug addicted mothers and how this is affected by socio-economic class. The findings in the literature suggest that there is some correlation between the following: socio-economic status and CPS involvement, drug addiction and CPS involvement, and race and CPS involvement. These issues seemingly revolve around larger systemic issues such as poverty, classism and racism. Future research and policy and practice implications are discussed.