Meet the Players: CPS, CASA, GALs, and Case Workers in Washoe County

When families enter the foster care system, they often encounter a bewildering array of professionals, volunteers, and agencies. Understanding who these people are, what they do, and how they intersect can make the process less intimidating and more navigable. In Washoe County, several key roles interact daily to protect children, support families, and maintain accountability.

Child Protective Services (CPS)

CPS is the first point of contact for most families. Their role is to investigate reports of abuse or neglect and determine whether children can safely remain at home. Caseworkers are responsible for conducting home visits, interviewing family members, assessing risks, and creating case plans.

Key points about CPS:

• They operate under strict state and federal guidelines.

• They balance child safety with family preservation.

• Their decisions can include removal, placement with relatives, or referrals to community services.

In Washoe County, CPS caseworkers handle heavy caseloads, often juggling dozens of investigations at a time. Despite the pressure, their work is crucial in keeping children safe, though it is not without challenges. Miscommunications, systemic barriers, and high caseloads can make parents feel unheard or overwhelmed.

Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)

CASA volunteers serve as independent advocates for children in the foster care system. Their goal is to ensure that the child’s voice is heard and that their best interests are represented in court.

What CASA does:

• Visits children regularly to assess their well-being.

• Meets with caregivers, parents, and professionals involved in the case.

• Reports observations to the court, highlighting needs, concerns, or progress.

CASA volunteers are trained to observe and document without judgment. They provide a unique perspective that combines advocacy with objectivity, helping judges make informed decisions about a child’s welfare.

Guardians ad Litem (GALs)

While CASA volunteers are advocates for the child, GALs are legally appointed attorneys representing the child’s best interests. They are often involved in more complex legal cases where the child’s legal rights must be actively defended in court.

Responsibilities of a GAL:

• Provide legal representation for the child in court proceedings.

• Advocate for services, appropriate placements, and permanency solutions.

• Review case plans and advise the court on the child’s needs.

GALs often collaborate with CASA volunteers, CPS, and other professionals to create a cohesive picture for the judge. Their legal expertise ensures that the child’s rights are upheld, and their voice is formally represented in legal proceedings.

Foster Care Caseworkers

Caseworkers manage the day-to-day logistics and long-term planning for children in foster care. They act as liaisons between the child, foster parents, birth parents, service providers, and the court system.

Typical responsibilities:

• Monitor children’s placements and ensure stability.

• Facilitate communication between all parties involved in the case.

• Track compliance with case plans, including visits, therapy, and school attendance.

• Identify and arrange services for behavioral, medical, or educational needs.

Caseworkers are the glue that holds the system together. Their work is vital but challenging; they must make decisions that balance safety, family connections, and long-term outcomes, all under tight timelines and policy constraints.

How These Players Work Together

In Washoe County, the interaction between CPS, CASA, GALs, and caseworkers is meant to create a safety net for children. Each player has a distinct role, but collaboration is essential:

1. Information Sharing: Caseworkers provide updates to CASA volunteers and GALs.

2. Feedback and Observation: CASA volunteers share insights from regular visits, helping GALs advise the court.

3. Decision-Making: Judges rely on the combined information from CPS, CASA, and GALs when determining custody, reunification, or placement.

4. Support Services: Caseworkers coordinate services recommended by GALs and observed by CASA volunteers.

When this system works well, children are safer, parents are more supported, and the court can make informed decisions. However, gaps in communication, high caseloads, and systemic limitations can sometimes create frustration or delays.

Challenges Faced by Families

Parents and caregivers often feel that they are navigating a maze:

• Too Many Voices: Families may hear conflicting advice from CPS, CASA, and GALs.

• Lack of Transparency: Legal and procedural jargon can be confusing.

• Timing Issues: Scheduling meetings, visits, and court dates can be difficult.

• Emotional Stress: Interactions with multiple authorities can exacerbate trauma.

Understanding the role of each player can help families advocate for themselves and their children more effectively.

Tips for Parents and Caregivers

1. Ask Questions: Don’t hesitate to ask each professional to clarify their role.

2. Document Everything: Keep records of communications, appointments, and services completed.

3. Communicate Clearly: Stay in touch with caseworkers and CASA volunteers.

4. Engage in Services: Completing required programs demonstrates commitment and supports reunification.

5. Seek Support: Local nonprofits, advocacy groups, and peer networks can provide guidance and reassurance.

How FosterED Connection Can Help

At FosterED Connection, we help families and caregivers navigate these relationships:

• We provide plain-language explanations of each role.

• We offer guidance on communication and advocacy strategies.

• We connect families to resources that help them comply with case plans and support their children’s well-being.

By understanding the system, families can transform fear and confusion into empowerment and progress.

Final Thoughts

Every child in foster care interacts with a network of dedicated professionals and volunteers. Understanding who they are and how they operate is critical for parents, caregivers, and advocates. CPS protects, CASA observes, GALs legally represent, and caseworkers coordinate. When families and children know the players and their roles, the system becomes less opaque and more navigable.

Next week, we’ll explore disproportionality in foster care—who gets removed, why, and how race, poverty, and systemic bias influence outcomes in Washoe County.

From Call to Case: How Reports to CPS Turn Into Foster Placements

The journey from a simple report to the removal of a child is often misunderstood and fraught with emotion, confusion, and systemic complexity. In Washoe County, as in the rest of Nevada, this process is guided by strict laws, procedures, and timelines, but the lived experience of families often feels anything but straightforward.

The Initial Call

Every foster care case begins with a report. This can be made by a teacher, neighbor, relative, doctor, or any

concerned adult who believes a child is at risk. Reports may be due to suspected abuse, neglect, or unsafe

living conditions. Once received, CPS must determine whether the report warrants investigation.

The reporter may remain anonymous, but CPS is obligated to investigate every claim. Many parents are

unaware that a report has been filed until a caseworker contacts them, which can be startling and

frightening.

The Investigation Phase

Upon receiving a report, CPS initiates an investigation, which can include: - Home visits to assess living

conditions - Interviews with the child, parents, and other household members - Collaboration with

teachers, doctors, or other professionals - Review of records such as medical, school, and prior CPS

involvement. The goal is to determine whether the child is safe and whether removal is necessary. This phase often lasts 30 days but can be shorter in cases of immediate danger.

Determining Risk and Need for Removal

Caseworkers use risk assessment tools to evaluate the level of danger a child faces. Factors include: -

Severity and frequency of abuse or neglect - Parent’s ability or willingness to address concerns - Child’s age,

health, and vulnerability - Previous CPS involvement

If the child is deemed unsafe, CPS may petition the court for removal. This does not mean the parents are

considered bad or unfit; rather, it is a legal measure to protect the child while support services are arranged.

The Protective Custody Hearing

Once a child is removed, Nevada law requires a protective custody hearing within 72 hours. The court

evaluates whether the removal was justified and if the child should remain in temporary custody. Parents

have the right to legal representation, and the court may order services or supervised visits during this

period.

Case Planning and Services

Following the initial removal, CPS works with the family to develop a case plan. This plan outlines: - Required

services (therapy, substance use programs, parenting classes) - Timelines for completion - Supervised

visitation schedules - Benchmarks for reunification

Case plans are intended to be clear roadmaps to reunification, but families often experience frustration due

to inconsistent communication, limited service availability, and rigid deadlines.

Placement Decisions

When determining placement, CPS prioritizes the child’s safety, stability, and familiarity. Options include: -

Relative or kinship placement: Preferred to maintain family connections - Non-relative foster care:

Licensed homes with trained caregivers - Specialized care: For children with behavioral or medical needs -

Group homes or residential treatment: Used when other options are unavailable

Placement decisions are critical and can significantly impact a child’s adjustment, well-being, and

attachment development.

Court Oversight

From removal through permanency, family court provides ongoing oversight. Judges monitor compliance

with case plans, evaluate progress, and make key decisions regarding reunification or termination of

parental rights. Regular hearings ensure accountability but can also feel overwhelming for families.

Challenges in Transitioning from Call to Case

• Communication gaps: Parents often feel out of the loop.

• Trauma for the child: Sudden removal is deeply distressing.

• Service limitations: Waitlists and availability can delay progress.

•Cultural misunderstandings: Bias or lack of cultural competence can affect decisions.

How FosterED Connection Supports Families

We aim to demystify this process and support families by: - Explaining legal and procedural steps in plain

language - Providing guidance on how to engage with caseworkers and the court - Connecting families to

local resources and trauma-informed services - Offering community and peer support networks

Final Thoughts

The journey from a CPS call to a foster placement is complex, emotional, and life-changing. Understanding

the process is critical for families, caregivers, and professionals who want to navigate the system effectively

and advocate for children’s well-being.

In the next blog, we’ll explore the key players in the foster care system in Washoe County—CPS, CASA, GALs,

and caseworkers—and how their roles intersect.