Social Services (Children & Families) Unit

Social Services Supervisor, Children & Family Services - Jessica Schultz

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 at 218-927-7200 or by email child.protection@co.aitkin.mn.us or by calling your local law enforcement agency. To make a report after business hours, please use the email address or contact the Aitkin County Sheriff’s Department

Suspected Child Maltreatment Report (PDF)

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.

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.