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?

Programs for youth who have been sexually exploited

Youth who are victims of sex trafficking can get help with emergency shelter, transitional living and other supportive services. Various community groups provide these services through Minnesota’s Safe Harbor for Youth programs.

Options for mothers who cannot keep their babies

Mothers who are not able to care and provide for their child can consider placing their baby for adoption. Many organizations in Minnesota can help with this. In extreme situations, new mothers can leave their newborn up to seven days old at certain locations under the state’s Safe Place for Newborns law.

Report Suspected Child Maltreatment

Child Protection reports can be made 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The intake worker is available from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. For after hour reports, please call Todd County Dispatch at 320-732-2157 and ask to speak to the on-call social worker.

Todd County Health and Human Services encourages you to call even if you are not sure whether or not to make a report. The intake staff are willing to assist you through the process.

• If a child is in immediate danger, Call 911. 
• Call Child Protective Services at 320-732-4500 and ask to speak to the intake worker
• Child Protection Report