When children are removed from their families by CPS, very few people stop to think about what happens to them after removal. They are presumed to be safe and happy with relatives or family friends. Hardly anyone not directly involved in the child welfare system gives the process much more thought. But while some children are placed with relatives, many others are placed into foster care with strangers.

This is a common story, and not necessarily a bad one. We understand that there are certainly situations where a child isn’t safe where they are, and they need to be moved. However, in Michigan, over half of children who are placed in foster care receive two or more placements. These kids fill their suitcases many times. Often, the “suitcase” amounts to nothing more than a grocery bag.

For a lot of these children, many important items get lost in the shuffle. They are usually removed from their homes with very little notice, often in the midst of a very volatile situation. More often than not beloved toys and favorite outfits do not make it into their grocery bags. Other lost items can include important photos, and keepsakes. In addition, important documents like social security cards and birth certificates are not passed along.

Despite how important these items are, there are even more precious things are lost in this process. Things that cannot be put into a garbage bag, like feelings of stability, a sense of belonging, connections with family, friends, and teachers. As a result, they often lose the ability to trust the adults around them.

Every time a child moves to a new home, regardless of whether it’s with relatives, a foster family, or another type of residential placement, they must adjust to a new place and a new routine. Each home has a different culture, and comes with a varied set of expectations that the child must get used to in a “sink or swim” fashion. Even with the most patient and kind foster families and relatives, a child has no idea what to expect here.

Every new placement is like starting life over from scratch, and while you would think that experience would make it easier, in truth it only gets harder. Moving from place to place, time and time again, makes it harder for kids to feel safe and secure at home. Even long after leaving the foster care system, they often struggle to develop strong bonds with others. Foster children learn early on they cannot get attached to their friends, caretakers, or surroundings.

Yanking a kid abruptly from his or her home teaches a very important lesson: that they can only depend on themselves. Self-esteem takes a blow as well, as children tend to internalize their experiences, and the move from home to home often leaves them wondering if they are unwanted or damaged. All in all, there is little doubt why some people have trouble making healthy connections after leaving foster care.

While it’s true that children tend to be resilient in ways that adults usually are not, these moves can be traumatic, and often have long lasting effects. The important takeaway here is that there’s an inherent value in keeping children with their parents. Beyond the love and affection they receive at home, children need a stabilized home life with as little interruption as possible.

This information supports what we at the Kronzek Firm already believe – that parents are, in most cases, the best possible people to raise their own children. Our experienced CPS defense attorneys work hard to help families stay together whenever possible, and keep children with the people who love and care for them most – their parents.

If you or a loved one are battling CPS, or have been threatened with having your children taken away, then you understand the horror that awaits you and your child if you do nothing. Our skilled defense attorneys have spent decades battling CPS, and we are familiar with their tactics and methods. We understand what you are up against, and we can help you through this. So call us today at 866-346-5879. We are available 24/7 in the event of an emergency.