Families
adult and child holding hands

The Long Road Ahead

| 12:55 PM

Reading Time: 2 minutes

This writer was permitted to follow Ruff because a Juvenile Dependency Court judge signed a court order allowing it in the interest of showing the public what taxpayer-funded Protective Services Workers do. However, child welfare laws protect children’s privacy and the confidentiality of their proceedings. So, after the 30-day court order expired, Ruff and Child Welfare Services were prohibited by law from discussing this case further.

Families

Some Good News Before the Court Hearing

| 12:50 PM

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Then, Ruff had some good news. The family could visit the baby at the foster parents’ home, most likely that afternoon. Visits would have to be supervised by the foster parent, but everyone would be able to see the child.

Families

Next Steps

| 12:45 PM

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Ruff asked the mother about possible family placement options for the baby.  What about her father?

Families

The Interview

| 12:40 PM

Reading Time: 2 minutes

“I’m going to need to ask you a lot of questions,” Ruff said stoically.

“Whatever I need to do to get him back.”

Families

Assigned a Case

| 12:35 PM

Reading Time: 2 minutes

On a recent workday, a new case came across Protective Services Worker Tom Ruff’s desk. A first-time mother’s newborn boy tested positive for meth at the hospital, and the mother admitted to using the drug during her pregnancy, according to the front-line social worker’s report.