Child Protection

To Make a Child Maltreatment Report

• During business hours (8:00am - 4:30pm, Monday through Friday):
  • Verbal report - phone: 507-437-9732 (Please note that this phone line is not monitored during non-business hours.)
  • Written report can be submitted by completing this Report Child Maltreatment Form and:
    • Email to: childprotection@co.mower.mn.us OR
    • Fax to: 507-437-9721 (Please note that faxes are not checked during non-business hours).
  • For attendance concerns, please complete this Educational Neglect Referral Form.
• For after-hours, weekend and/or holiday:
  • Verbal report: contact Mower County Dispatch at 507-437-9400.  Ask for the social worker on-call.
  • Email: childprotection@co.mower.mn.us

            ** If a child is in immediate danger or you would like a welfare check, contact Law Enforcement. **

Child Protection Reporting Process

A mandated reporter should make a verbal maltreatment report ASAP or within 24 hours and a written report within 72 business hours.  

If you are a mandated reporter,  this is a helpful resource: Resource Guide for Mandated Reporters of Child Maltreatment Concerns.

Reports can be made by anyone; depending on your role with the child(ren), you will be a mandated or voluntary reporter.  Voluntary reports CAN be anonymous, however mandated reporters must provide their information.

You will be asked to provide as much information as possible about the family and concern; this will assist in determining if a report meets the MN statutory definitions of abuse or neglect.   There may be questions you cannot answer, and that is okay; information is sought to determine the appropriate response to the concerns.  

If you are unsure if a report needs to be made, call the intake line to consult.

The identity of a reporter is always kept confidential.

Anyone who reports abuse or neglect in good faith is immune from civil liability.  

What Happens After a Report is Made?

MCHHS Child Protection Screening team reviews the report, in addition to history, to determine if the report meets MN statutory criteria for a Child Protection response; this occurs within 24 hours of MCHHS receiving the report.

Types of child maltreatment are as follows: Neglect, physical abuse, mental injury, sexual abuse, and threatened injury. Sometimes MCHHS will request the assistance of a reporter to determine what type of abuse or neglect there is concern for.  

If a report meets criteria for a Child Protection response, it will be assigned as a Child Protection Assessment OR Child Protection Investigation.  Social workers work with the family to safely care for their children.

Family Assessment: Social workers meet with the child(ren) and caregiver(s) to address the safety of the child(ren), in addition to risks and family strengths and needs. MCHHS implements a strength-based, collaborative approach to explore the safety and needs of the family. The case concludes within 45 days with a decision if ongoing Child Protection services are needed.   

Family Investigations: Investigations are designed to respond to substantial child endangerment or neglect and require fact gathering while engaging with the family; the investigation will address the immediate safety of the child(ren) and the risk for further maltreatment.  The investigation concludes within 45 days with a determination of whether maltreatment occurred and if the family needs ongoing child Protection services.

How does Child Protection Help Families?

Child Protection supports families to safely care for their children.  Child Protection assesses child safety, risk factors, and family strengths and needs.