Texas has one of the most detailed CPS Policy and Procedures handbooks I have found online. The link is here:
http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Handbooks/CPS/default.aspIn my humble opinion, anyone doing services should know exactly why they are being asked by CPS to do so and what it is CPS is alleging. Likely the hospital called CPS when you overdosed resulting in CPS knocking on your door two days later. It sounds as though you are doing a:
Section 3332 - Parental Child Safety Placement
3332. Parental Child Safety Placement
CPS January 2013
When a child in a family-based safety services (FBSS) case can no longer be protected from abuse or neglect at home, the child’s family may decide to initiate a parental child safety placement (PCSP) by placing the child outside the home. (For example, the parents may place the child with the grandparents.) Staff may support the family but does not initiate the plan or make the placement.
When a parental child safety placement is made during the Family Preservation (FPR) stage of service, the caseworker must document the placement in the FPR stage in IMPACT under the Services and Referrals Checklist tab as provided in 2433 Making the Parental Child Safety Placement and document the detail that supports the making of the placement as a critical contact by the end of the next calendar day as provided above.
Except as provided below, FBSS staff must follow all of the policies related to PCSPs in the following policy section and its subitems:
2430 Criteria for Parental Child Safety Placements
2432 When a Removal Is More Appropriate Than a Parental Child Safety Placement
2433 Making the Parental Child Safety Placements
2434 Conducting Criminal Background Checks for Parental Child Safety Placements
2435 Conducting Abuse and Neglect Background Checks for Parental Child Safety Placements
2435.3 Safety Plan
2436 Ongoing Assessment of the Parental Child Safety Placement
2437 Closing a Case Involving a Parental Child Safety Placement
Apparently a PCSP may not run longer than 6 months without approval higher up:
2436.1. Extending a PCSP Past 90 Days
CPS March 2013
The requirements for the review process are as follows:
• If it is necessary to continue the PCSP beyond 90 days, the supervisor provides the reasons for the PCSP to continue in consultation with the program director (PD) or risk manager before the expiration of the 90 days.
At this point in the case, a discussion with the family must occur that explains the decision by DFPS and secures their agreement with the decision. If the parent and the caregiver are in agreement then the Agreement for Parental Child Safety Placement, Form 2298Word Document, must be reassessed and updated on a new form. If the family does not agree, the case should be assessed for possible legal action. The caseworker documents the discussion and outcome.
• A PCSP may not continue beyond six months unless staff receive written approval from the program administrator (PA) to continue the PCSP.
If the case extends beyond six months, a discussion with the family must occur that explains the decision by DFPS and secures their agreement with the decision. If the parent and the caregiver are in agreement, then Form 2298 must be reassessed and updated on a new form. If the family does not agree, the case must be assessed for possible legal action. The caseworker documents the discussion and outcome.
• The caseworker is required to meet with the parents and PCSP caregivers before the scheduled CPS consultations to give the parents and caregivers the opportunity to recommit to or discontinue a PCSP after being informed of the potential consequences of each scenario. These meetings are an opportunity for the caseworker to revisit the purpose of the PCSP or to clarify issues and concerns with both the parents and the PCSP caregiver.
Basically as far as I know, and I am not an attorney nor do I live in Texas, your participation with CPS up to now has been entirely voluntary. You suffered an overdose and CPS wanted to make sure you are stable and able to make good decisions on behalf of the children and maintain a wholesome environment for them. You would need to look at the safety plan you signed with CPS to know when it ends but aside from that obligation, you can quit any time. You don't have to voluntarily keep doing services if your confident that you are now 100% past that sad time. However, CPS may still have concerns and at any point in time that you decided you have done enough services and want your children home and stop cooperating with CPS, then CPS will have to decide if they agree with you or have enough evidence against you to take physical custody of the children and involve the courts in a legal case against you.
It's always a crap shoot with CPS and only you can decide how to move forward. The above referenced link will at least help you understand what CPS does, why CPS does it, exactly what their policy and procedures are and also to weigh what their actually doing in your case beside what it is they are supposed to be doing.