Child Protection

About Child Protection Services

Chippewa County Family Services is the public child welfare agency responsible for responding to community concerns about child safety, child well-being and family stability. Our goal is to engage families in a partnership to ensure the safety, permanency, and well-being of their children. This also encompasses a vision of partnering with community members to help support and nurture children and families.

Chippewa County Family Services works to tailor services to the individualized needs of a family. Specialized responses are also available for families with children struggling with emotional disturbance, and youth that are truant from school.

We work with other professionals in the community in an effort to ensure appropriate assessment, service planning and service delivery. We believe that successful intervention flows from a partnership with children and families that build on their desire to improve the conditions and circumstances that challenge them. Chippewa County Family Services is honored to partner with families and the community to enhance child safety and well-being.

Reporting Child Abuse or Neglect

Call the Chippewa County Family Services Intake line at 320-269-6401(Fax: 320-269-6405) to file a report of child abuse or neglect. Reports can be made Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. After-hours reports can be made to your local law enforcement agency.

Mandated Reporter Form (PDF)

If you have questions on if you are a mandated reporter or what the requirements are as a mandated reporter, please complete this training.  The training is completed by the Minnesota Child Welfare Training Academy and has options for mandated reporters, as well as training specific for Youth Program staff.

Mandated Reporter Training

An additional resource for you is the DHS Resource Guide for Mandated Reporters of Child Maltreatment Concerns, published in January 2023.

Resource Guide for Mandated Reporters of Child Maltreatment Concerns(PDF)

This question is frequently asked as children start returning to school. Here is a helpful resource with general screening guidelines: 

How Old is Old Enough to Be Left Home Alone? (PDF)