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 must:
- Call to consult or make a report within 24 hours, and
- Personally file a written report within 72 hours of the verbal report (excluding weekends and holidays). Written reports can be filed using the online reporting form or faxing the printable form to 612-466-9581.
Please see the Information for mandated reporters section below for additional guidance.
By phone
There are now two options to speak to an intake worker about concerns for a child. Consultation is available for callers that are not sure if a report is needed.
Call child protection services at 612-348-3552.
- Press 1 to discuss your concerns with an intake worker without identifying a family.
- Press 2 if you are ready to make a formal child protection report.
Online
Fill out the online reporting form.
Print out a form, fill out as much information as you can, and fax it to 612-466-9581. Printable reporting form (PDF, 1MB)
Be prepared to provide 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
Other helpful information
- The child’s school
- Other witnesses
- The child’s location
- Names of other family and household members
After the report
If you are a mandated reporter that has made a verbal report, you must personally file a written report within 72 hours of making a verbal report. Please see the Information for mandated reporters section below for additional guidance.
Screening
All reports are screened by a multidisciplinary team to determine whether the report meets criteria for an investigation or 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. These screened-out reports are also reviewed for eligibility for voluntary services, and may be referred.
Assessment or investigation
Cases can be assigned to one of two tracks: assessment or investigation. This is determined by statute and state screening guidelines.
Family Investigation is used when reported information meets criteria for substantial child endangerment, or if there is an immediate child safety concern. Other reports are assigned for Family Assessment, a strengths-based approach that connects families to the resources and services they need to reduce the risk of future child maltreatment.
The investigation process is similar for either track, but a Family Investigation case requires a decision about maltreatment. Family Assessment cases do not result in a maltreatment determination.
Keeping children safe
Our goal is to keep children safe and with their families whenever possible.
In most cases, children remain in their homes while the family receives services and works to resolve safety issues.
In some cases, children are in out-of-home placement (foster care) while the family receives services. To reduce trauma, children are placed with relatives whenever possible.