Families
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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
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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
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Ruff asked the mother about possible family placement options for the baby. What about her father?
Families
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“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
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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.
Families
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Recently, Ruff was involved in a case of a 5-year-old boy who was living in a motel room with his unemployed dad, another infant and that child’s father and girlfriend.
Families
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Tom Ruff, a child protective services social worker, generally has 15 days after a first court hearing to figure out more facts, identify more family placement options for the child who was taken out of the home and help make a plan for the next steps.
