Child Protective Services

What is Child Protective Services?

This is one often used name for a state agency that has the duty of preventing and responding to reports of child abuse, neglect or physical endangerment. The agency is endowed with in loco parentis authority and may bring charges against an errant parent. The agency may also bring a petition involuntarily terminate parental rights. Such agencies also generally overlook the foster care system and place neglected children in foster care homes.

Further Reading

For more detailed information, see our related Family Law terms:

• Protective Order
• Physical Abuse
• Voluntary Termination of Parental Rights
• Custody Decree
• Divided Custody

Reviewed by

Stephanie Bagnall

Licensed Attorney and Legal Researcher

Stephanie Bagnall is a Georgia-licensed attorney and legal researcher with experience in accessibility law, compliance, employment law, and legal writing. She helps develop and review BarPrepHero's Legal Terms content for clarity, accuracy, and usefulness to bar exam students.

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