Child protection services

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 should call to make a report within 24 hours and personally file a written report within 72 hours of the verbal report (excluding weekends and holidays). Please see the Information for mandated reporters section below for additional guidance.

By phone

Call child protection services at 612-348-3552. Press 1 to make a report.

Online

Fill out the online reporting form.

Print

Print out a form, fill out as much information as you can, and fax it to 612-466-9581. Printable reporting form (PDF)

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

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.

Definitions

Mandated reporters include people who work with children in health care, social services, education, mental health, child care, law enforcement, the courts, clergy, corrections, and youth recreation programs. 

State law requires people in these designated occupations to make a report if they believe that a child has been maltreated within the past three years by a parent, guardian, family child care provider, family foster care provider or juvenile correctional facility staff person.

Read more:

Minnesota statute 260E.06

Resource Guide for Mandated Reporters

Mandated reporter training

We offer in-person and virtual training for agencies that employ mandated reporters. The training covers definitions of child abuse and neglect, what happens after a child protection report is made, reflections on child safety, and mandated reporter legal and ethical responsibilities.

To schedule a training or for more information, contact Kristen.Huffman@hennepin.us or cfsinfo@hennepin.us. 

Mandated reporters should

Call 911

If a child is in immediate danger, call emergency services. Do not delay.

Make a report or call to consult

Call 612-348-3552 within 24 hours of the information being known and personally file a written report within 72 hours of the verbal report (excluding weekends and holidays).

Not sure if you need to report? Call to consult with staff. 

Consequences of inaction

Failure by a mandated reporter to report suspected abuse or neglect is a misdemeanor-level crime. If failure to report results in substantial bodily harm, it is a gross misdemeanor. If the child dies, it is a felony.

Liability

As a mandated reporter, your name is confidential, accessible only if you consent, by a court order or by a court procedure. If the child protection report results in a court hearing, you may be asked to testify.

Learn the outcome

You can find out if the report has been accepted for investigation. Unless this information would be detrimental to the best interests of the child, you also will receive a summary about Hennepin County’s disposition of the report. This summary includes what was determined, the nature of the maltreatment, and the services provided.

These voluntary programs offer support to Hennepin County families. Anyone can refer families unless otherwise noted.

Basic needs and well-being

Hennepin County can connect parents with support and services to help families reach their goals.

Learn about the Parent Support Outreach Program.

Substance use and pregnancy

For pregnant people using substances or in active recovery:

Project CHILD supports safe, sober pregnancies for healthy parents and babies, keeping families together.

Learn about Project CHILD. 

For providers working with pregnant people who are currently sober but had previous terminations of parental rights or custody due to substance use and/or mental health:

Prior Termination of Parental Rights (TPR) and Transfer of Legal Custody (TLC) support program referral

Child protection can engage with expecting parents 6-8 weeks prior to birth to develop a plan for when the baby is born. The goal is to keep newborns with their parents and/or kin whenever possible, while focusing on child safety.

Immediate, in-person support and stabilization

Are you feeling overwhelmed by your child's mental, behavioral, or emotional needs? Family Response offers immediate in-person support and stabilization for children and youth (ages 5-18) and their parents/caregivers. 

Learn about Family Response.

Legal help

Parents with children in the child protection system can get legal representation.

Learn about free lawyers for eligible clients.

Annual reports: child protection and child well-being

Find child protection data, trends and analysis:

• Children and Family Services 2022 annual report (PDF, 1MB)
• Children and Family Services 2021 annual report (PDF, 1MB)
• Children and Family Services 2020 annual report (PDF, 1MB)
• Child protection 2019 annual report (PDF, 21MB)

Learn more about work to transform county services and supports for children and families:

• Child Well-Being 2022 annual report (PDF, 2MB)
• Child Well-Being 2021 annual report (PDF, 2MB)
• Child Well-Being 2020 annual report (PDF, 1MB)
• Child Well-Being Advisory Committee: 2018 report (PDF, 1MB)

Strategic plan

We are collaborating with families and partners to eliminate disparities, reduce the impact of trauma, and promote the safety and well-being of all children in Hennepin County.

Children and Family Services 2023-2026 Strategic Plan (PDF, 1MB)

Strategic directions:

• Uplift community efforts to prevent system involvement by eliminating family risk factors and racial disparities 
• Create and sustain a robust, competent, and inclusive workforce
• Be an attentive, honorable, forthright and considerate partner in eliminating racial disparities and increasing positive outcomes for families
• Partner with children and their families to design personalized plans that eliminate racial disparities and reduce the impact of trauma