Child Protective Services

Child Protective Services (CPS) is a state or local government agency responsible for protecting the safety and well-being of children who are suspected to be at risk of abuse, neglect, or other forms of maltreatment.

After a death, it's possible that surviving Dependents may need additional support, especially if the deceased was a caretaker of a minor child.

To ensure the safety of a minor, CPS can investigate if the death will cause the minor to be at risk of harm, help place the child with a relative or foster family, provide legal support to help navigate custody rights, and provide counseling, support groups, and other forms of support services to help minors adjust to their new living situation.

If the surviving person in need is a minor child, you may want to coordinate support with friends and family for the short term, or contact CPS to ensure that they are kept safe.