Relative Placement in San Bernardino County CPS Cases

Keeping Families Together During CFS Investigations and Juvenile Dependency Proceedings

When Children and Family Services (CFS) removes a child from their home in San Bernardino County, the court may allow the child to be placed with a relative or close family friend instead of foster care. This is called a relative placement, and it can make a huge difference in a child’s life. Being placed with family helps preserve emotional bonds, cultural identity, and stability during a stressful and uncertain time.

If you are a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, or close family friend involved in a CFS case in San Bernardino County, you have the right to request placement. Our experienced San Bernardino CPS defense lawyers can help you through the process and fight to keep your family together.

What Is Relative Placement in a CPS Case?

A relative placement means a child is placed with someone they already know and trust instead of with foster parents. California law favors family placements whenever possible. Relatives and “non-relative extended family members” (NREFMs) such as godparents or close friends are eligible to be considered.

Approved relative placements may include:

• Grandparents
• Adult siblings
• Aunts and uncles
• Cousins
• Step-relatives
• Family friends with a close connection to the child

How to Request a Relative Placement in San Bernardino County

If your relative has been removed by CFS, you must act quickly. CFS and the court often move fast, especially in the first few days after removal.

Here’s how the process usually works:

1. Let the social worker know you are willing to care for the child
2. Complete a background check and fingerprinting
3. Pass a home inspection to ensure safety and basic living standards
4. Cooperate with the Relative Assessment process (sometimes called an RFA)
5. Stay involved in the juvenile dependency court case

We can assist you in contacting the assigned social worker, submitting the necessary forms, and pushing for early placement with you instead of foster care.

Why Relative Placement Matters

San Bernardino County judges and social workers know that children do better when they can remain with family. Relative placements help:

• Minimize the trauma of removal
• Allow siblings to stay together
• Maintain a connection to the child’s culture, school, and community
• Support reunification with the child’s parents

Even if you aren’t sure whether you’ll be approved, you should still request to be considered. We can help you strengthen your application and represent you in court if needed.

Problems with Relative Placement? We Can Help.

Unfortunately, relatives in San Bernardino County are sometimes denied for unclear or unfair reasons. You might be told your home is not suitable, or that you failed a background check, even when you’re fully capable of providing care.

Our San Bernardino juvenile dependency attorneys can:

• Advocate for your right to placement under California law
• Challenge a denial or delay in the placement process
• Represent you at court hearings to explain your relationship and readiness
• Help you resolve background or licensing issues
• Ensure CFS follows proper legal procedures

Call Now for Help with Relative Placement in San Bernardino County

If you are a relative trying to take in a child placed in CPS custody, or a parent who wants to keep your child with family, we are ready to help. Our legal team has deep experience handling juvenile dependency and CFS cases across San Bernardino County, including in Fontana, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Rialto, Victorville, and Redlands.

Call now for a confidential consultation with a trusted San Bernardino CPS lawyer. We’ll help you take action to protect your family and secure a safe, stable placement for the child in your care.