Families are referred for On-going Child Protective Services when safety concerns have been identified during the assessment process. Services are provided based on Wisconsin’s Ongoing Standards.

The social workers connect families with resources to alleviate stressors, which can result in child abuse or neglect. Services can be provided to families when children are in the family home and in out of home care settings, if that is necessary due to a safety concern. The goal is to keep children with their parents.

The social worker is part of a team of individuals working to support the family. The child and family are the center of this team, which also includes their natural support network, and professional supports, such as school personnel and therapists. As a team, all viewpoints are heard and whenever possible case planning agreements are reached to encourage better success.

If the child is removed from their parental home, the social worker works with the family to reduce the safety concerns that lead to the child’s removal so the child can safely return home. If ultimately returning home is not possible, the social worker makes recommendations to the court for other long term placement options, including guardianship or termination of parental rights which allows the child to be adopted or placed with an appropriate and willing relative.

• Connects families to resources, such as parenting education, therapy, and ways to meet basic needs
• Provides for services in families’ homes and oversees out of home care placements
• Coordination of medical/dental and independent living services for children placed in out of home care

Court Liaison

• Providing the Judge the information needed for decision making and helping the family to participate in and understand the process.
• Making recommendations to the court about what services are needed and helping families to meet the court ordered conditions 
• Ensuring safety conditions are addressed to have successful closure of services