It's harder in your case, so it will take more time. 2 to 3 years maybe.
To find out where to start, ask yourself where your children are more likely to get caught alone and reported to CPS.
It will also require you go to clubs (sport club, book club), events (garage sell, protests, etc) or even to put them in motion.
Eventually, some thing that works very well is talking to people waiting with you. In queues, waiting rooms, at traffic lights or even traffic jams. It's awkward/annoying as hell when you do it wrong, but after a big of practice it's really a great source of networking.
I do appreciate the method, I just find hard to believe that it can be put in practice in realities like mine.