It is the mission of the Carlton County Public Health and Human Services Family Social Services Unit to promote the safety, dignity, and self-sufficiency of children and families within this community.  This goal supports the right of self-determination, respects diversity, and promotes family preservation by providing an array of services to families and children in cooperation with other community resources.

Brenda Carlson

Carlton County Public Health and Human Services provides adoption services through our Family Unit, which include referrals for home studies for families interested in adoption of older children with physical disabilities and/or emotional difficulties. Carlton County provides post-adoption services such as referrals for counseling and other services as well.

At any given time there are about 300 children in Minnesota waiting for adoptive parents. They are all children with special needs. Find more information on the Minnesota Adoption Resource Network at their website:
http://www.mnadopt.org/

The Minnesota Department of Human Services also offers information on adoption. Visit their website at www.dhs.state.mn.us.
 

Child protection services are government mandated services that ensure response to concerns of harm, risk, or neglect of children. It is the intent of the state and federal government that children remain in their homes and services are provided to correct problems that place children at risk.

Our goal is to lead the community in the prevention, identification, and protection of abused and neglected children. This is accomplished by working with families, service providers, and community members to assess risk and coordinate community-based services resulting in safe, stable, and permanent homes for children.

If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, you should call us at 218-879-4583 or 1-800-642-9082 between the hours of 8:00am and 4:00pm. After hours or if it is an emergency situation you should call 911 immediately.

Child & Family Services "Critical Pathways" Child Protection Services
(PDF 135kb)

Make a Report of
Suspected Maltreatment

Carlton County Public Health and Human Services offers assistance to Carlton County residents wishing to become licensed to provide child foster care in their home. Foster parents can provide a stable and loving home for children who are in need of temporary care. Licensing includes home inspections, criminal background study, and education training. Licensed foster home providers are reimbursed for their care of foster children and receive ongoing training and support.

For more details on of family foster homes in the State of Minnesota visit the Minnesota Department of Human Services website at www.dhs.state.mn.us or download the following document produced by the Minnesota Department of Human Services.

Foster Care: Caring for Children in Out-of-Home Placement
(PDF 35kb)
 

Carlton County Public Health and Human Services offers assistance to Carlton County residents wishing to become licensed to provide child care in their home. Minnesota law requires persons to be licensed if providing care for children from more than one family unrelated to the provider. Licensing includes home inspections, a criminal background study, and the discussion of State licensing guidelines and standards. Providers are required to have ongoing training including Infant/Child CPR and First Aid.

For more details on licensing of family day care homes in the State of Minnesota visit the Minnesota Department of Human Services website at www.dhs.state.mn.us or download the following document produced by the Minnesota Department of Humans Services.

Family and Group Family Child Care – General Licensing Information
(PDF 285kb)

 

If you are looking for information on Child Care in the Carlton County Area please use the Child Care Resource and Referral Network of Minnesota. Their phone number is 1-800-890-5399 or visit their website at http://mnchildcare.org

The Minnesota Child Care Resource and Referral Network helps families find child care and understand their care options, supports child care providers through grants and education and informs the community on the importance of child care.  

"Family Assessment Response is a program that responds to concerns about child abuse and neglect by ensuring children are safe, avoiding negative labels for parents, setting aside the issue of fault, and working with families in identifying their needs and providing services and resources that match the family's needs.

Family Assessment Response is based upon the belief that parents love their children and want them to be safe. Sometimes parents need help to make that happen. Carlton County Social Workers have the flexibility with this program to best meet children's and family's needs. Through this program, child safety is examined and maltreatment risks are assessed but workers also identify family strengths and needs. This holistic approach enables workers to better support families and refer them to the community resources they need to improve their parenting skills.

For an estimated 60% of families reported to the child protection system, this family assessment approach may be more appropriate and effective.

Please contact one of the following social workers for more information about the Family Assessment Response Program.

Russell Rowenhorst, Yvonne Hughes, or Henry Moeller, at 218-879-4583.

Other additional resource sites include:

Family Assessment Response to Child Safety brochure
(PDF 1.2MB)

Family Assessment Program Evaluation
www.iarstl.org

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Carlton County Public Health & Human Services is about strengthening families, protecting our children and our seniors, offering hope to those in crisis and making our community a stronger, safer & healthier place for all of us to live.