Child Protection

Ramsey County assess child abuse and neglect cases for victims and perpetrators in vulnerable populations, understanding that sometimes perpetrators are victims themselves or that vulnerable populations might need special attention and services.

• Juvenile perpetrators: Callers who report children or juveniles who commit non-family sexual offenses will be encouraged to contact the parents of the perpetrator and the police. If there is reason to believe a perpetrator is a sexual abuse victim, Ramsey County would conduct an abuse assessment.
• Minor moms: If a mother under the age of 18 is reported to have committed child abuse, the Minor Moms program will contact the new mother and conduct an assessment. If the mom is under 16, the county will consider assessing the incident as a neglect case.
• Children with mental health and severe emotional disabilities: We coordinate services for children with severe emotional disabilities who need protection. Learn more about children’s mental health services. Starting Tuesday April 3, 2018, Ramsey County will no longer be coordinating shelter placements through Children’s Crisis. All professionals seeking placement of youth in a shelter, whether during regular work hours or after hours, should contact our Children’s Intake line, 651-266-4500, and someone will assist you.
• Children with intellectual and developmental disabilities: We coordinate services for children with IQs below 70 or with physical disabilities who need protection. Learn more about children’s disability services.

The Ramsey County Child Protection Division provides the following services:

• Process intake for requests by counties and states who have determined that a parent who moves to Ramsey County is suspected of maltreatment. Ramsey County requires supporting documentation from a referral source.
• Conduct interviews for other counties and states which are not part of the Metro County Agreement area, when a victim moves to Ramsey County prior to an assessment being completed. If a criminal investigation needs to be completed, the request is sent to appropriate police department.
• Conduct assessment referrals for Family or Domestic Abuse Court
• Conduct assessment referrals of a child under 10, who violated statutes to the degree that if they were older, a delinquency petition would have been filed.
• Refer victims for interstate relative or non-relative foster care.
• Place children who need care while parent is in hospital/treatment, if no responsible relatives are available.
• Coordinate financial assistance services for children ages 16-18 who are living independently.
• Determine the relationship of non-adjudicated custodial dads or caretakers with questionable documentation of relationship in coordination with the Financial Assistance Services department.
• Refer victims of non-familial sexual abuse to counseling resources.
• Manage adoption subsidy requests for changes in adoption subsidy.
• Conduct home studies of parents when another state has custody and requests home study through interstate compact.