Supervisor - Kathy Nelson 320-231-7800

Extension 2434

T he primary goal of all child welfare activities is to protect children from maltreatment.

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The first choice of intervention is to provide services that strengthen and empower the child’s own family, thus assuring the child’s safe and nurturing care at home. This is not only to protect the child from abuse and neglect, but to protect them from the consequences of separation and out of home placement. Yet, there are situations in which “the best interests of the child” indicate a need for out of home placement. These placements (when necessary) are done in a least restrictive manner in an attempt to strengthen and preserve the family unit. The social worker attempts to engage the family to be active participants in developing a case plan, in assessing the entire family and in the delivery of services. See North American Resource Center for Child Welfare www.ihs-trainet.com

for resource information regarding the child welfare "Best Practices."

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Kandiyohi County Family Services Child Welfare Unit Consists of the following:

Child Protection Services♥

* provided to families in which a maltreatment assessment found a level of risk to indicate the need for protective services. See

Child Protection Investigations

for information concerning child maltreatment and determinations

Child Welfare Services

 are provided to families which have requested assistance with family struggles such as truancy, parent/child conflict, child behavior concerns etc. Kandiyohi County Family Services Intake Unit is available for consultation in helping families assess their needs. We may offer available resource and referral information and/or when appropriate, assist with an application for child welfare services.

Minor Parent Services

 are to provide social services that will assist the pregnant and/or parenting minor parent (under the age of 18) to establish a plan for herself and child to ensure their safety and well-being. This program helps connect the minors to appropriate resources such as: The Pregnancy Education for Teens program (prenatal program, Medical Assistance), Community Teen Moms (support and educational group for parenting teens), Alternative Learning Centers or General Education Diploma programs, daycare assistance programs, etc. For more information on pregnancy prevention, programs related to adolescent pregnancy prevention, adolescent pregnancy care and adolescent parenting in MN. go to www.moappp.org

.

Adoption Services

 are provided to Kandiyohi County children waiting for adoption. The adoption worker works diligently to locate permanent homes for the children and facilitate the adoptive process in a timely manner. The social worker also provide services to families who have adopted children in the past. These may include biological family searches, obtaining valid information regarding the bio-family, or connecting the adoptive family with assistance programs as necessary. For more information regarding adopting Minnesota’s waiting children go to Minnesota Adoption Resource Network at www.mnadopt.org

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Truancy Services

 are provided to families with school aged children that have been referred to our agency, as truant (after 3 or more un excused absences). The social worker meets with the child and family to try to develop a plan to improve school attendance.

Kandiyohi County Family Services Child Welfare

 utilizes a variety of programs to assist the families in which we serve. These may include: In-home family therapy, family based education, referrals to parenting classes, domestic violence assessments and treatment, chemical abuse assessments and treatment, out-patient counseling, Family Group Decision Making, Parents Forever Program, and/or various support groups. Referrals are made in an effort to connect the family with resources that will help meet their specific needs.

For specific services information please refer to the KCFS Annual Report

 The Minnesota Extension Service Education Resources also offers Parent on a large variety of topics.

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