By Debra Braxton
1. Rely on God for inspiration. Write down things to check as God speaks. I continually tell God, “Thank you, I’ll check into that.”
3. Every state has a DSHS website. Have people search this, for knowledge is power. Records Request forms are there. Use them.
4. DSHS has both an Internet website and an Intranet website.
Google: DSHS Internet website; Then Google: DSHS Intranet website
5. Get CPS to provide a copy of their Policy and Operations Manual. They can print this out for the parent and it is free. I’m waiting on mine.
6. I bought a book called “Washington Court Rules” for the state. There are Washington Court Rules for the Federal side of the dependency case. Now this book will have a different title for each state of course. Find the dependency section and challenge CPS on this and your Pro bono attorney who works against you. It’s amazing how some attorneys dummy up when it comes to people like me and I surprise them with what I know. I am a paralegal student who wants to fight them long after the case is over.
7. DSHS falls under Administrative Law and everyone from Children’s Administration “CPS” from lowly case worker, supervisor, area administrator, regional manager, to assistant secretary at the DSHS Headquarters is liable for the shared decision making process they claim to use. So one mistake of one worker affects all, do you see?
8. Think outside the box to solve issues. Be unconventional. They won’t expect it and will be caught off guard.
9. Communicate in paper to all persons connected to the case and insist the people write back. I use emails and fax machines. Save this. It is ammunition later on and is considered a legal document.
10. Go to a law library located in County Superior Courts, or at a university that teaches law. Find the state’s rules book and look up juvenile court rules. Civil court rules and federal court rules as well. Also the website for the state legislature.
11. Go over the records repeatedly because God will tell you as he told me, “See this paper, the CPS didn’t do a recommendation properly.”
12. Whatever is discovered, put it in writing either as a letter or as a declaration. This way all parties of the court including the judge will be held accountable and the case may proceed to appeals court and this information could help the group of appeals judges with their decision.
About Debra Braxton:
I am a paralegal student and I am cutting my teeth on the CPS and all of my Pro bono attorneys as I go along. Lastly, this is a spiritual war and it’s not by might or by power but by my spirit says the Lord. My battle is his and God knows the end from the beginning. Rest in God and work hard and never give up. God will give peace in the midst of the dependency storm.