- Home
- Departments
- Community Services
- Children's Services
- Child Protection
Child Protection
Child protection intake screeners, in partnership with the screening team, review and accept reports of alleged child maltreatment based on the Department of Human Services (DHS) Minnesota Child Maltreatment Intake, Screening, and Response Path Guidelines.
Minnesota Statute 260E.06 requires mandated reporters to make a report if they know of, or have reason to believe, a child is being neglected or abused, or has been neglected or abused within the preceding three years.
Verbal reports must be made immediately (no longer than 24 hours). A verbal report by a mandated reporter must be followed within 72 hours, excluding holidays and weekends, by a written report of alleged maltreatment.
If a child is in immediate danger, or to request an immediate welfare check, call 9-1-1 or your local police department.
To make a verbal report on suspected abuse or neglect of a child:
Call 651-430-6457 during normal business hours, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Call the Washington County Crisis Response Unit at 651-275-7400 during the evening, weekend, or holidays.
To make a written report on suspected abuse or neglect of a child:
Please fill out and submit this online form: Referral of Suspected Child Abuse or Neglect.
Submissions lacking identifying information may result in a report not being accepted.
If a mandated reporter does not report suspected abuse or neglect, they could be prosecuted for committing a misdemeanor. I
f a child suffers substantial or great bodily harm as a result of not receiving needed treatment for the abuse or neglect because of a failure to report, it is a gross misdemeanor.
If the child dies as a result, it is a felony.
Mandated Reporting
Under Minnesota Statute 260E.06, persons in designated professional occupations are mandated to report suspected child abuse or neglect.
Persons who work with children and families are in a position to help protect children from harm. These persons are required by law to report to child protection if they know or have a reason to believe that a child is being abused or neglected or that a child has been neglected or abused within the prior three years.
The individual with direct knowledge of possible child abuse or neglect is individually responsible to report to the police or child protection. Reporting the concern to a supervisor, administrator, or other coworkers does not mitigate your responsibility to report.
The reporter's name is confidential, accessible only if the reporter consents or by a court order. You can find more information about mandated reporting in the Resource Guide for Mandated Reporters.
- Child Care: Babysitters, child care center staff, home child care providers
- Clergy
- Corrections management and staff
- Education: School administrators, support staff, teachers, assistants
- Guardian Ad Litem
- Health Care Professionals: Dental professionals, hospital staff, medical professionals and personnel
- Law Enforcement
- Mental Health Professionals: Psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists/counselors
- Probation Officers
- Social Services: Foster parents, group home staff, social workers
*Access the packet forms before the training.
Take Time Out
There are lots of things you can do to prevent taking your frustrations out on your child. When the big and little problems of everyday life pile up to the point where you feel like lashing out, it is possible to stop and take time out. It is possible to get a hold of yourself before you get a hold of your child.When you do stop, take time out, and do something immediately that will help you cool down and collect yourself. The next time everyday pressures build up to the point where you feel like lashing out stop and try any of these simple alternatives. See what works for you. You'll feel better and so will your child.
Alternative Actions
- Stop in your tracks. Step back. Sit down.
- Take five breaths. Inhale. Exhale, Slowly. Slowly. Remember you are the adult.
- Press your lips together and count to 10. Better yet, 20. Or say the alphabet out loud.
- Phone a friend or a relative.
- If someone can watch the children, go outside and take a walk or go visit someone.
- Put your child in a time-out chair. Think about why you are angry: Is it your child or is your child simply a convenient target for your anger?
- Look through a magazine, book, or newspaper.
- Do some sit-ups.
- Write down your thoughts.
- Take a hot bath or a cold shower or splash cold water on your face.
- Lie down on the floor or just put your feet up.
- Put on your favorite music or radio program. Maybe even sing along.
- Write down as many helpful words as you can think of. Save the list.
- Close your eyes and imagine you're hearing what your child is about to hear.
- Still mad? Hug a pillow or munch on an apple.