After investigating a child abuse and neglect report, the Administration for Children's Services (ACS), along with Family Court, can remove a child from the home if their safety can not be assured. When this occurs, the child is placed with an agency like Seamen's Society for Children and Families in a licensed foster home to provide temporary care. Whenever possible, we try to have the child reside with a relative, such as a grandparent or an aunt. When a child is placed in our care, we work to have them return home as soon as possible.

Returning a child to their parents is achieved by staff and foster parents working together with the child's family to address the problems that led to the child's removal. Depending on the parent's needs, they may be required to attend counseling, parenting skills training, substance abuse treatment, or other services from Seamen's Society or other agencies in the community. Case Workers regularly visit the foster home to see that the child's needs are being met through medical care, attendance at school, counseling and any other services that are needed. In addition, we ensure that the child and their family have regular visits. Seamen's Society, ACS and Family Court monitor progress that is made. If parents are not addressing their problems or their problems can not be resolved in a reasonable time, legal steps can be taken to free a child for adoption. In most situations, foster parents offer to become the child's adoptive parents and provide the child with a permanent home. The preferred goal, however, is to have the child return to their family.