Child Protection
Child protection intake screeners, in partnership with the screening team, review and accept reports of alleged child maltreatment based on the Department of Human Services (DHS) Minnesota Child Maltreatment Intake, Screening, and Response Path Guidelines.
Minnesota Statute 260E.06 requires mandated reporters to make a report if they know of, or have reason to believe, a child is being neglected or abused, or has been neglected or abused within the preceding three years.
Verbal reports must be made immediately (no longer than 24 hours). A verbal report by a mandated reporter must be followed within 72 hours, excluding holidays and weekends, by a written report of alleged maltreatment.
If a child is in immediate danger, or to request an immediate welfare check, call 9-1-1 or your local police department.
To make a verbal report on suspected abuse or neglect of a child:
Call 651-430-6457 during normal business hours, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Call the Washington County Crisis Response Unit at 651-275-7400 during the evening, weekend, or holidays.
To make a written report on suspected abuse or neglect of a child:
Please fill out and submit this online form: Referral of Suspected Child Abuse or Neglect.
Submissions lacking identifying information may result in a report not being accepted.
Mandated Reporting
Under Minnesota Statute 260E.06, persons in designated professional occupations are mandated to report suspected child abuse or neglect.
Persons who work with children and families are in a position to help protect children from harm. These persons are required by law to report to child protection if they know or have a reason to believe that a child is being abused or neglected or that a child has been neglected or abused within the prior three years.
The individual with direct knowledge of possible child abuse or neglect is individually responsible to report to the police or child protection. Reporting the concern to a supervisor, administrator, or other coworkers does not mitigate your responsibility to report.
The reporter's name is confidential, accessible only if the reporter consents or by a court order. You can find more information about mandated reporting in the Resource Guide for Mandated Reporters.
- Child Care: Babysitters, child care center staff, home child care providers.
- Clergy.
- Corrections Management and Staff: Correctional officers, probation officers, parole officers, juvenile detention workers, prison or jail staff, case managers, counselors or therapists, etc.
- Education: School administrators, teachers, assistants, etc.
- Guardian Ad Litem.
- Health Care Professionals: Doctors, nurses, dental professionals.
- Law Enforcement: Police officers, detectives, criminal investigators, deputies, patrols, sergeants, sheriffs, state troopers, etc.
- Mental Health Professionals: Psychologists, counselors.
- Social Services: Foster parents, social workers.
Washington County offers mandated reporter training quarterly in a year through a live, virtual format.
Reporting Child Maltreatment (Abuse & Neglect) Training for Mandated Reporters
- Tuesday, February 11, 2025│ 10-11:30 a.m.
- Thursday, May 8, 2025 │ 1-2:30 p.m.
- Thursday, August 7, 2025 │ 10-11:30 a.m.
- Thursday, November 13 , 2025│ 1-2:30 p.m.
This training is designed for mandated reporters or others interested in learning more about requirements for reporting child abuse and neglect in Washington County. All training is provided by Washington County Child Protection staff.
Topics covered:
- Maltreatment definitions.
- Mandated reporter responsibilities.
- How to make a report.
- What happens after a report is made.
- Services available to children and families.
- Questions and answers opportunity.
A video training series is also available through the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS).This does not take the place of an in-person training.
*Access the packet forms before the training.
*Agencies within Washington County with large groups needing this training can contact us to request additional training sessions.
You must register via email in order to attend the online training, so we can email you the meeting link.
Register
To register, send an email to Social Worker Kelly Klauer.
Washington County offers mandated reporter training quarterly in a year through a live, virtual format.
This training is reserved only for child care and child foster care providers, interested in learning more about the requirements for reporting child abuse and neglect in Washington County. All training is provided by Washington County Child Protection staff.
In 2024, the Department of Human Services (DHS) made the Mandated Reporter Training a required annual training for child foster care providers.
Reporting Child Maltreatment (Abuse & Neglect) Training for Mandated Reporters (for Child Foster Care and Child Care Providers only)
- Wednesday, March 5, 2025 │ 6-7:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, June 4, 2025 │ 6-7:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, September 3, 2025 │ 6-7:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, December 3, 2025 │ 6-7:30 p.m.
Topics covered:
- Maltreatment definitions.
- Mandated reporter responsibilities.
- How to make a report.
- What happens after a report is made.
- Services available to children and families.
- Questions and answers opportunity.
A video training series is also available through the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS). This does not take the place of an in-person training.
*Access the packet forms before the training.
You must register via email in order to attend the online training, so we can email you the meeting link.
Register
To register, send an email to Child Foster Care Licensing.
Pre-recorded online mandated reporter training
If you are unable to attend a Washington County Mandated Reporter training, you may complete the online Minnesota Child Welfare Training Academy's Mandated Reporter Training.
Parenting Tips
There are lots of things you can do to prevent taking your frustrations out on your child. When the big and little problems of everyday life pile up to the point where you feel like lashing out, it is possible to stop and take time out. It is possible to get a hold of yourself before you get a hold of your child.
When you do stop, take time out, and do something immediately that will help you cool down and collect yourself. The next time everyday pressures build up to the point where you feel like lashing out stop and try any of these simple alternatives. See what works for you. You'll feel better and so will your child.
- Stop in your tracks. Step back. Sit down.
- Take five breaths. Inhale. Exhale, Slowly. Slowly. Remember you are the adult.
- Press your lips together and count to 10. Better yet, 20. Or say the alphabet out loud.
- Phone a friend or a relative.
- If someone can watch the children, go outside and take a walk or go visit someone.
- Put your child in a time-out chair. Think about why you are angry: Is it your child or is your child simply a convenient target for your anger?
- Look through a magazine, book, or newspaper.
- Do some sit-ups.
- Write down your thoughts.
- Take a hot bath or a cold shower or splash cold water on your face.
- Lie down on the floor or just put your feet up.
- Put on your favorite music or radio program. Maybe even sing along.
- Write down as many helpful words as you can think of. Save the list.
- Close your eyes and imagine you're hearing what your child is about to hear.
- Still mad? Hug a pillow or munch on an apple.