Child Protection/Child Welfare Services
DVHHS is responsible for the safety, permanency and well-being of children throughout Cottonwood and Jackson Counties. When a report of child maltreatment, abuse and/or neglect is received, our department screens those reports to determine whether or not they meet the necessary criteria to be investigated.
To report suspected child abuse or neglect, contact any of the DVHHS Offices or dial 911. Child Protection Report and Mandated Report Form
There are two approaches in dealing with reports of child maltreatment: Family Assessment Response and/or a Child Protection Investigation.
If the report is eligible for a Family Assessment Response, the worker meets with the family to examine the safety and risk factors of the children and develops a plan with the family to address any identified issues of concern regarding safety, permanency and well-being of the children.
If the report is eligible for a Child Protection Investigation, a child protection worker will contact the family and conduct interviews with the child/ren and parent/s to determine if they are in need of any services our agency has to offer. If there are services that are deemed necessary and the family is cooperative, a case plan will be developed.
Case management will continue until the family has achieved the goals outlined in the plan. In cases where the family is uncooperative, there may be a need to initiate a court action (called a CHIPS – Child in Need of Protection or Services) in order to get the family to comply with the goals in the plan that addresses any identified safety issues, permanency issues and the well-being of the children.
What is considered abuse and neglect in Minnesota?
Neglect is the most common form of maltreatment; over 60 percent of all reports in 2018 were allegations of neglect. Neglect is usually involves the failure of the child’s caregiver to:
- Supply the child with necessary food, clothing, shelter, medical or mental health care, or appropriate supervision
- Protect the child from conditions or actions that endanger the child
- Take steps to ensure that a child is educated according to the law.
- Exposing a child to certain drugs during pregnancy and causing emotional harm to a child may also be considered neglect.
Physical abuse is any physical injury or threat of harm or substantial injury, inflicted by a caregiver upon a child other than by accidental means. The impact of physical abuse can range from minor bruises to severe internal injuries and death. Physical abuse does not include reasonable and moderate physical discipline of a child that does not result in an injury.
Mental injury is harm to the child’s psychological capacity or emotional stability evidenced by an observable and substantial impairment of the child’s functioning.
Sexual abuse is the subjection of a child to a criminal sexual act or threatened act by a person responsible for the child’s care or by a person who has a significant relationship to the child or is in a position of authority.