Social Services (Children & Families)
Unit
(Social Services Supervisor, Children &
Family Services - Sue Tange)
e-mail:
child.family.social.services@co.aitkin.mn.us
Children & Community Services Act (CCSA):
Aitkin County submits a Biennial Service
agreement to the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) to receive
consolidated funds. The primary
purpose of the service agreement with DHS is to achieve stated outcomes
and work toward goals of keeping children safe and improving their well-being.
The agreement provides for assessment of ongoing needs of families
and children within the agency service areas, analysis of resources available
to address these needs, budgeting of allocated resources, and community
participation and review in planning and development of service provision.
Services to Children and Families:
Aitkin County embraces the federal and state
initiatives to provide permanence for children.
This means designing and delivering services which will assist families
in solving their problems in the least restrictive atmosphere possible,
preferably within their home or community.
Only as a last resort is placement considered, and then it is our
goal for children to be in living arrangements that are as permanent and
stable as possible.
Programs and Services are available for children and families in the following
areas:
Young Parents -
decision
making groups, support services
Adoption
-
home studies and placement
Foster Care –
licensing,
referral and placement
Domestic Violence –
referrals to
community shelters and local treatment resources
Children’s mental health case management –
assist families with assessments of needs,
access to community-based evaluation, treatment and support resources, and
coordination of multi-disciplinary services.
Family sexual abuse –
investigation,
assessment and referrals to community-based treatment
Emergency evening and weekend response services through 911 or law enforcement
dispatchers.
Individual and family case management and counseling services –
by either county social
workers or by referrals to other counseling agencies in the area.
Child Protection Services -
Aitkin County staff
are available 24 hours a day to receive reports of child maltreatment (abuse/neglect).
Child Protection Specialists work closely with law enforcement in
assessing the immediate risk of maltreatment to a child.
When a child is found to be in immediate danger, the child may be
placed outside of the family’s home for a brief period of time, or an abusing
parent may be ordered to leave.
The identity of a reporter of suspected
maltreatment is kept confidential.
Care is taken not to be overly intrusive while still assessing the
risk to the child, and the agency’s assessment of the family is kept private.
To report suspected maltreatment, please
contact our office or your local law enforcement agency.
Information and Referral On:
Child Foster Care, Chemical
Dependency Treatment, Child Day Care, Adoption, Investigative and Protective
Services, Counseling, Family Based Services, Licensing for Day Care and
Foster Care, and Mental Health Services.