Shadowland

When I began my journey working with Child Protective Services (CPS), I knew little about the agency or what would be expected of me there. I attempted to look for information in books, online, and by asking questions of others. Most people seemed to have a dark view of the agency, and there was often fear of it touching their lives. I was left with all the secrets and no answers when I took on the task of that job.

This book was originally written after finding myself unable and unwilling, yet also disheartened, to leave my position with CPS, which does so much good for the communities it services. The questions about what can be done to give more support and how to understand the lives of the people involved who have come under the care of the agency, and can no longer help themselves, began to arise.

Eventually, with time, it became much less a book about myself and more of a book for anyone involved in interactions with Child Protective Services, or people in crisis who wanted more information about the duties of that agency. It is also written for people wanting to enter the field of social services. Compassion and empathy are wonderful things to have and will help. But for someone who enters that field with dreams of changing the world, there is a lot to learn. Policing people while maintaining empathy for their needs is such a difficult task. It is not for people who have heavy imbalance in their own lives. It is important to learn about yourself and your reasons for entering a profession wrought with the potholes of a rough road and sleepless nights.

Best of luck to those who entertain any or all the above questions.