Children's Services

Child Welfare
Polk County Social Services is a public child welfare agency with the responsibility of responding to community concerns about child safety, child well-being & family stability. We are interested in engaging families in a partnership to ensure the safety & well-being of their children. Polk County Social Services works with child protection matters such as intervention, prevention and resolution of child abuse and neglect.
Agency: Polk County Social Services
Contact: 218.281.3127

Child Protection Services (CPS)
Child Protection matters such as intervention, prevention and resolution of child abuse and neglect. Child protection social workers assess reports of maltreatment of children in cooperation with law enforcement personnel. Along with the help of other service providers, Social Services may provide protective services to children and families such as:
  • Assessment
  • Individual and family counseling
  • Case management
  • Out-of-home placement

Providing children's health and safety needs are met, reunification with parents is the preferred goal of services.
Agency: Polk County Social Services
Contact: 218.281.3127

Children’s Mental Health Case Management Services
Polk County Social Services provides Children’s Mental Health Case Management services. These services are intended to assist children and youth 0-17 years old, with a severe emotional disorder. Under some circumstances, through age 20, via approved transition planning.
Agency: Polk County Social Services
Contact: 218.281.3127

Support for Emancipation and Living Functionally
The SELF (Support for Emancipation and Living Functionally) program offers services to youth ages 14 through 21, who are currently or were previously in foster care for at least 30 consecutive days after age 14 but are still working with the county or tribal social worker. The program helps these youths prepare for a successful transition to adulthood.
Agency: Polk County Social Services
Contact: 218.281.3127

Adoption Services
To adopt a child in the state of Minnesota, a home study is required. Home studies can be performed by private adoption agencies and in some circumstances by Polk County Social Services. In an adoption home study, prospective families begin the process of being considered for adoption. It includes being fingerprinted, having a background check and participating in an extensive interview process as well as ongoing training or parenting children who have experienced trauma. Polk County Social Service only completes adoption home studies for Minnesota waiting children/state wards. This means the parents’ right of these children have been terminated and these children are now available for adoption.
Agency: Polk County Social Services
Contact: 218.281.3127

Disability Services
Social Service programs for people with disabilities.
Agency: Polk County Social Services
Contact: 218.281.3127

Parent Support Outreach Program (PSOP)
The Parent Support Outreach Program provides voluntary support for at-risk families:

  • Identified through screened out child maltreatment reports
  • Community referrals
  • Parent self-referrals

PSOP provides early intervention supports and services for children and their families who are at risk of child abuse and neglect. The program proactively addresses family needs, particularly for those who may have a screened out report of concern, but may benefit from supports and services.
Agency: Polk County Social Services
Contact: 218.281.3127