Human Services of Faribault and Martin County provides services to protect children who have experienced abuse or neglect. Services are initiated when a child protection report is made by either a mandatory or voluntary reporter. Reports are initially screened to see if there is allegation of abuse or neglect that meets criteria as defined by state law. Also see MN Child Maltreatment Screening Guidelines for more information.

You can report suspected child maltreatment 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A child protection social worker will assist you even if you are not sure whether or not to make a report.

If you are a mandated reporter, you should call to make a report within 24 hours and personally file a written report within 72 hours of the verbal report (excluding weekends and holidays.)

By phone:  Call child protection services at call 507-238-4757 or  507-526-3265.

Be prepared to provide the following information:

• Information about the family, including the names and addresses of the child and parents
• Specific descriptions of the suspected abuse and neglect to the child, including what happened, when it occurred and the identity of the abuser

Reported concerns are assessed or investigated to determine what is happening with the family. Referrals are either screened in for a family assessment or an investigation or screened out.

Intake workers review reports of child maltreatment in order to determine whether or not the report meets the criteria for an investigation/assessment.

If the report doesn’t meet the criteria requiring an investigation or assessment, no further action is taken. However a record of the report will be recorded and maintained and an Agency Social Worker may reach out to the family regarding potential supportive services in their community.

If the report does meet criteria a thorough assessment of the allegations for abuse and or neglect will be addressed, along with the risk to safety and a determination whether continued services are required for the family.

If safety concerns are not adequately resolved in the investigation phase, the family will continue to work with an assigned case manager to develop a plan to mitigate the safety concerns and improve family functioning. The court may become involved as a result of a petition filed for “Children in Need of Protection or Services” (CHIPS). While the agency believes that a child's best interests and protection is usually maximized by maintaining the child at home whenever possible, it is sometimes necessary to seek temporary removal of a child to assure safety.

Foster parenting is a commitment to help a child and family through a specifically difficult period by providing consideration, understanding, and guidance to the child. Our county providers care for children who have been abused, neglected, abandoned or whose parent is unable to take care of their children for a variety of reasons.  In addition to our county providers we also license relative homes so that children can be placed within their extended family system as much as possible. For more information on licensing see ‘Licensing’.