stoops.elisha
New member
What is the name of your state? Ohio
8 months ago, CPS removed my 4 children aged 13 (boy, special needs), 10, 6 and year old girls due to valid concerns for neglect. A close family member (sister, and her long term boyfriend) lived with us and shared a room with my oldest girls. A complaint was filed against me for neglect because the girls bedroom was filthy and I was unaware because I didnt often go upstairs--thinking my sister and her boyfriend were adults and knew how to keep the room clean. Long story short, I was arrested on an old warrant and my 4 kids were placed with family because I refused to let my sister "care" for them after I found out what a complete disaster their room was. A few months later, I left that housing situation to get clean. When I moved out, I only took 2 changes of clothes for myself and that was it. I spent the next 3 months basically homeless, sleeping in an overcrowded house when I was able. During that transistion, I got a job, bought a car, reenrolled in my college classes, started out patient rehab and therapy. CPS has only restored my time with my kids to every other weekend, supervised--except for the baby which was 6 hours every other Sunday with 2 of those 6 hours spent in the car traveling for pick up and drop off (she is with family almost 2 hours away, we meet half way). I have now done everything listed in my reunification plan, including an extra non-required UA. 2 weeks ago, the temporary housing situation I had ended. A friend was renting out the bedroom for his one bed room apartment while he sleeps on the couch (by choice). There is adequate room in the bedroom for a set of bunkbeds in addition to my bed and a crib for the baby. My CPS caseworker came today and said she absolutely would not approve a one bedroom apartment because "each of the 4 children must have their own bedroom." First off, the county we live in doesn't even have more than a handful of 4+ bedroom houses, and the ones there are, have long term tenants. When i was told I needed my own space for the kids to be reunited, they failed to mention any other stipulations.
1. Is there an Ohio law that says each child, regardless of gender, must have their own separate bedrooms?
2. With my oldest (son) being disabled, do any gender specific requirements still exist?
3. Is it a law that my biological children can not sleep in a room with me, without any other adults present in the room?
4. I realize a one bedroom apartment is not ideal for 4 children, however it was the only space I was able to find before my next court date, which is next week.
5. Can CPS really keep my case open unnecessarily if each child has their own place to sleep?
6. Can CPS refuse to extend any further visitation times to me, because of this temporary living arrangement? I am actively searching and applying for every vacancy I am able to find, with a local business offering me a check for the first and second months and deposit to assist with the reunification.
7. CPS required (understandably) a background check for my roommate. What kind of charges may be a disqualification? He has a prior record, but it's been several years since hes had any charges. None of the charges have been for drugs, crimes against children or violent crimes. They've been simple theft, criminal mischief, and a couple other misdemeanor cases. He does have current full time employment and offered to complete any drug tests or other requirements needed. We are not in a relationship and do not have any children together.
I am be out of line with my feelings, but I feel very singled out and cornered by my caseworker, like she is bullying me in to believing false information. I do not know what additional steps I could take to make it any more obvious I am mentally and physically in great shape (in comparison to several months ago), and willing and more than able to take adequate care of my children now.
What else can I possibly do?
8 months ago, CPS removed my 4 children aged 13 (boy, special needs), 10, 6 and year old girls due to valid concerns for neglect. A close family member (sister, and her long term boyfriend) lived with us and shared a room with my oldest girls. A complaint was filed against me for neglect because the girls bedroom was filthy and I was unaware because I didnt often go upstairs--thinking my sister and her boyfriend were adults and knew how to keep the room clean. Long story short, I was arrested on an old warrant and my 4 kids were placed with family because I refused to let my sister "care" for them after I found out what a complete disaster their room was. A few months later, I left that housing situation to get clean. When I moved out, I only took 2 changes of clothes for myself and that was it. I spent the next 3 months basically homeless, sleeping in an overcrowded house when I was able. During that transistion, I got a job, bought a car, reenrolled in my college classes, started out patient rehab and therapy. CPS has only restored my time with my kids to every other weekend, supervised--except for the baby which was 6 hours every other Sunday with 2 of those 6 hours spent in the car traveling for pick up and drop off (she is with family almost 2 hours away, we meet half way). I have now done everything listed in my reunification plan, including an extra non-required UA. 2 weeks ago, the temporary housing situation I had ended. A friend was renting out the bedroom for his one bed room apartment while he sleeps on the couch (by choice). There is adequate room in the bedroom for a set of bunkbeds in addition to my bed and a crib for the baby. My CPS caseworker came today and said she absolutely would not approve a one bedroom apartment because "each of the 4 children must have their own bedroom." First off, the county we live in doesn't even have more than a handful of 4+ bedroom houses, and the ones there are, have long term tenants. When i was told I needed my own space for the kids to be reunited, they failed to mention any other stipulations.
1. Is there an Ohio law that says each child, regardless of gender, must have their own separate bedrooms?
2. With my oldest (son) being disabled, do any gender specific requirements still exist?
3. Is it a law that my biological children can not sleep in a room with me, without any other adults present in the room?
4. I realize a one bedroom apartment is not ideal for 4 children, however it was the only space I was able to find before my next court date, which is next week.
5. Can CPS really keep my case open unnecessarily if each child has their own place to sleep?
6. Can CPS refuse to extend any further visitation times to me, because of this temporary living arrangement? I am actively searching and applying for every vacancy I am able to find, with a local business offering me a check for the first and second months and deposit to assist with the reunification.
7. CPS required (understandably) a background check for my roommate. What kind of charges may be a disqualification? He has a prior record, but it's been several years since hes had any charges. None of the charges have been for drugs, crimes against children or violent crimes. They've been simple theft, criminal mischief, and a couple other misdemeanor cases. He does have current full time employment and offered to complete any drug tests or other requirements needed. We are not in a relationship and do not have any children together.
I am be out of line with my feelings, but I feel very singled out and cornered by my caseworker, like she is bullying me in to believing false information. I do not know what additional steps I could take to make it any more obvious I am mentally and physically in great shape (in comparison to several months ago), and willing and more than able to take adequate care of my children now.
What else can I possibly do?