what will happen if you don't work with the courts tand CPS to get your child back?

If you didn't participate in the juvenile court, you need to immediately contact your attorney and Department of Human Services (DHS).  In Iowa, DHS is the state agency responsible for the safety of children.  Since you called the agency CPS, I wonder if the case is in Iowa or not?  If not, different states have different policies and regulations, although federal law requires states to quickly settle cases such as yours. In Iowa (according to federal law), if the child is under 4 years old, the child must be returned to you within 6 months, or you face the possibility of termination of your parental rights.  If the child is older, the return time is 12 months.  As you have stated that it has been over a year since the child was taken and you did not keep in contact with DHS or follow their recommendations, there was probably a termination hearing.  At the termination hearing, I would expect that your rights were probably terminated and the child placed for adoption.  If your rights were terminated and not appealed, then there would be little to no hope of reobtaining custody. Once adopted, the court would not allow you to reassert any  claims, as the child deserves the right to move on with her life.  However, contact your attorney immediately.  You would have probably had an attorney appointed to represent your interests.  If you do not know how to contact your attorney, contact the clerk of court for the information.