Report Abuse or Neglect

If you suspect abuse or neglect of a child (0-17), contact the Department of Social Services Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm at 715-261-7556 or your local law enforcement agency. For calls outside of our business hours, please contact Law Enforcement to reach Child Protective Services.

Some occupations require individuals to report child abuse and neglect allegations. More information on Mandatory Reporting can be found on the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families website.

To request a Mandatory Reporting presentation for your agency please contact us at 715-261-7500.

Process

• Child maltreatment reports are made to social workers who are trained in child protective services. Reports may include concerns of physical abuse, neglect, sexual abuse and/or emotional damage.
• Child Protective Service assessments are initiated when the referral meets the statutory definition of child maltreatment; defined by Wisconsin State Statute as physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional damage and/or neglect. If the referral does not fit these definitions, The Department of Social Services does not have legal authority to intervene. Assessments address child safety and the need for family services, court intervention and out of home placement.
• Social Services is required to investigate reports of suspected child abuse and neglect to protect children, to prevent further maltreatment and to preserve families whenever possible. The social worker’s job is to interview children, parents and other household members, learn about the family, gather information about the maltreatment, observe the family home and write a report that explains what was done.
• The unit has sixty days to complete an assessment to determine is the child is safe. The assigned social worker provides emergency services and referrals services during the assessment.
• Depending on the results of the investigation:
  • No further interaction with Social Services is required.
  • Children requiring longer term safety plans are referred to our ongoing child protective services unit.
  • Removal of children from the parental home and foster care placement may be necessary. This is the last option considered in a social work intervention.

On-going Child Protective Services

For the families that are referred to this unit, the social worker’s job is to connect them with resources to alleviate the stresses, which result in abuse or neglect. If the child is removed from their parental home, the social worker attempts to work with the family to reduce the safety concerns that lead to the child’s removal so the child can safely return home. If returning home is not possible, the social worker makes recommendations to the court for other long term placement options including termination of parental rights which allows the child to be adopted or placed with a fit and willing relative. Services offered include:

• Case management
• Court liaison
  • Recommends to the Court what supervision and treatment services are needed based on interviews with the family, school, and other providers that may be involved with the youth.
  • Implements the Court's order for supervision and provides or arranges for the treatment services included in the order.
  • Keeps the court informed of violations of the order.
  • Returns to court to seek formal consequences to violations as needed.
  • Supports the parents in their role of providing care, structure, and supervision to the youth.
  • Supports the youth in their rehabilitation efforts.
• Direct parent education to families in their home
• Parent education resource acquisition
• Permanency planning
• Substitute care placement and supervision
• Timely medical/dental and independent living services for children placed in out of home care

In all cases, the social worker is part of a team of individuals working on the case. This team includes the family and child(ren), family support people, school personnel and therapists. As a team, all viewpoints are heard and whenever possible case planning agreements are reached to guarantee better success. Social workers also work closely with the court and monitor compliance with mandated service conditions set by the court.