Child Protection/Child Welfare
Concerns about child abuse or neglect
Minnesota’s child protection system responds to situations where children are alleged to be maltreated and helps support families to safely care for their children. The Department of Children, Youth and Families works with Minnesota’s 87 counties, 11 federally recognized tribes and community-based providers to support interventions that strengthen families and prevent child maltreatment.Providing resources to families for basic needs, such as housing or child care, significantly improve the safety of children in their homes and communities.
In Minnesota, approximately 25,000 children are reported for abuse and neglect to the child protection system each year, which counties and tribes assess. The department’s fact sheet on Child Safety and Permanency (PDF) provides current statistical information.
- What is considered abuse and neglect in Minnesota?
- How do I report abuse or neglect?
- Call the county or tribal social service agency, or the police, where the child lives if you believe that a child is being hurt or neglected.
- Some people, whose jobs involve caring for children, such as doctors, teachers and ministers, are required by law to report suspected child abuse or neglect.
- Other people, such as neighbors or relatives, are encouraged to report if they think a child is being abused or neglected. Your report is confidential and your name cannot be released to the family except by a court order.
- What happens after a report is made?
- What should families know about the process?