Start with the notice or case you have
Keep your assessment notice, safety plan, petition, hearing notices and orders together. Identify the caseworker, court and lawyer involved. Use the sections below to find the relevant office, process and source instructions.
Shared sources appear in all 36 county filters. A county selection adds the existing circuit court destination and civil legal-aid referral. Confirm juvenile case contacts, court-appointed representation and local services separately.
CPS assessment and safety planning
Identify your caseworker and keep the assessment notice and safety plan. Ask what concerns are being assessed, what the plan requires and how services will be coordinated. Discuss proposed agreements and any related criminal allegations with qualified counsel.
- ODHS — CPS Assessments, Investigations and Safety Plans ↗Source details and preparation
- ODHS — Find Your Child Welfare Office and Caseworker ↗Source details and preparation
- OJD — Child Safety Framework for Dependency Cases ↗Source details and preparation
- ODHS — Child Welfare Rules, Safety Planning and Procedure Manual ↗Source details and preparation
Representation and legal help
If a dependency petition has been filed, ask the juvenile court clerk or your lawyer about appointed counsel, any application and upcoming hearings. The Parent Child Representation Program has a defined program reach. Ask separately about appeal representation or concerns with a public-defense provider.
Dependency hearings and foster-care reviews
Keep the petition, summons, hearing notices and court orders. Ask your lawyer or clerk which hearing you have and what participation requires. A shelter, jurisdiction, disposition, permanency or termination hearing has its own purpose. CRB reviews and agency assessment reviews are separate processes. Model court forms include judicial orders; check the document type and local requirements.
- OJD — Juvenile Court Programs and Dependency Resources ↗Source details and preparation
- OJD — Model Juvenile Dependency Court Forms ↗Source details and preparation
- Citizen Review Board — Reviews and Guides for Parents ↗Source details and preparation
- Citizen Review Board — Parent Preparation and Participation Resources ↗Source details and preparation
- OJD — Juvenile Dependency and ORICWA Bench Books ↗Source details and preparation
- OJD — Juvenile Appellate Updates ↗Source details and preparation
- OJD — Dependency Training and Court Records Access Resources ↗Source details and preparation
Family time, kinship and placement
Keep the written family-contact arrangements and document practical barriers to visits or services. Ask the caseworker and lawyer how relatives, siblings and supportive people can stay involved. The guides and training below include resources for caregivers; they are not all birth-parent requirements.
- ODHS — Relative and Kinship Connections ↗Source details and preparation
- ODHS — Foster Care Questions and Reunification Goals ↗Source details and preparation
- ODHS — Interstate Placement of Children ↗Source details and preparation
- ODHS — Foster Care Guides, Family Connections and Rights ↗Source details and preparation
- ODHS — Caregiver Training on Family Time and Child Welfare ↗Source details and preparation
- ODHS — Foster Caregiver Crisis Support and Safety Resources ↗Source details and preparation
Records, founded-assessment reviews and complaints
Keep the written disposition notice, receipt date and instructions. Ask which review route, current form and deadline apply to the notice. Agency records requests, court discovery, founded-assessment reviews and complaints have different requirements. A complaint or CRB review does not replace a court filing or appeal; confirm court dates separately.
- ODHS Records Request Routes ↗Source details and preparation
- OAR Chapter 413 — Child Welfare Rules and Review Procedures ↗Source details and preparation
- ODHS — Child Welfare Transmittals and Procedure Updates ↗Source details and preparation
- ODHS — CPS Complaints and the Children’s Advocate ↗Source details and preparation
- Foster Care Ombuds: Complaints and Rights ↗Source details and preparation
Tribal children, ICWA and ORICWA
Discuss any Tribal connection with your lawyer, caseworker and the appropriate Tribe. These official resources explain the governing protections and participation framework; this site does not determine a child's membership, eligibility or which law applies to a case.
Family support, language and access
Ask about language assistance, court accommodations and support that fits your family's situation. Family Support and Connections excludes families enrolled in active Child Welfare services; ask the caseworker about suitable services for an active case. Housing and food programs have separate eligibility rules.
- ODHS — Language Assistance for Child Welfare Services ↗Source details and preparation
- Court Disability Accommodations ↗Source details and preparation
- ODHS — Voluntary Family Support Outside Active Child Welfare Services ↗Source details and preparation
- OHCS: Need Housing Help Now? ↗Source details and preparation
- SNAP Food Benefits ↗Source details and preparation
Find your court and local help
Select your county above for its existing court destination and civil legal-aid referral. Use the ODHS Child Welfare office finder to locate the responsible agency office.