[quote=Ricechex]Not so sure about this bearishgurl. I am assuming you mean Child Protective Services (CPS). CPS will not take the children as long as they are presently cared for, shelter, food, no abuse, even IF the mother is a drug abuser. In order for CPS to intervene, it is tertiary intervention, ie: the incident must have already occurred. Also, getting CPS involved has it’s risks, and I would be judicious in contacting them without good reason.
Also, there is very limited availability of housing and acceptable foster care homes. Even Section 8 housing has a 2+ years waiting list. If she had a man living there and there was domestic violence, she may be able to get into a shelter, but if she is actively using drugs, she would not meet the eligibility requirements. The mother’s best bet is to see if any family members will take them.[/quote]
Yes, Ricechex, I DO mean CPS, but CPS IS part of HHSA. HHSA has a variety of services that the mom may be eligible for. The OP here (who joined Pigg only 2 days ago with the handle “northparkbuyer” with initial concerns NOT about the property but about “eviction”) now states she is close to the situation by virtue of knowing the decedent. She is obviously concerned that the kids will be neglected or will have nowhere to go if the mom should lose her home. This is a legitimate concern since the new owner is in the business of rehabbing homes for profit. It is extremely likely that they will want this family to vacate ASAP.
I know a registered and vetted “foster parent” for many years now located in South Chula Vista with 2 or 3 bdrms of her five-bdrm home completely vacant or at least they were when I was there a few weeks ago. I believe these foster parents recieve at least $540 mo. per child + Medi-Cal for them + any special needs provided for.
I DO think there are current foster-home opportunities for kids like this. The trick is, getting them placed together.
I understand that CPS won’t act unless there is no food, shelter or the children are obviously neglected. They don’t even care about a looming eviction. You are correct that the negative event (eviction) already has to have happened for the children to recieve placement assistance. I am also aware that the wait for a Section-8 voucher is more than two years and its issuance is not guaranteed but based upon available funding at the time a name rises to the top of the list. This is why I didn’t bring it up here.
I’m not stating the mom is an addict here. In the very least (based upon the OP’s posts) I feel she is irresponsible and selfish if she went thru a substantial amount of cash left by her mother (as the OP is inferring) without saving any of it for housing needs for her children. She can apply for TANF, “food-stamps,” WIC or the issuance of monthly commodities now – whatever she is eligible for. But this will not solve her housing problem that she herself made.
Yes, family would be the best placement, IF the mom has any and IF she is on good terms with them. You have to ask yourself here, where is the dad(s)??
btw, I am a retired county employee but DID NOT work with HHSA or the former DSS.
