Children's Services

Adoption Services

Adoption home studies for families wanting to adopt a child(ren). Assistance to these families with assuring the child is legally cleared for placement and/or adoption. Adjustment services to families after the initial placement until the adoption is finalized.

Also, placement of foster children cleared for adoption in prospective adoptive homes. Consultation to assist the adoptive homes with adjustment issues to ensure a successful placement.

Child Protective Services

Investigation of reports of abuse, neglect, and/or dependency of children ages birth until age 18. Reports may be made by phone or in person. The reports must meet the statutory requirements for abuse, neglect or dependency and must be by a caretaker in order for the report to be accepted for assessment. Investigations of abuse are initiated within 24 hours of report, neglect within 72 hours, and dependency as soon as possible. Case decisions are made in group staffing within 30 days of the report whenever possible. Treatment services are provided to families when neglect or abuse is substantiated to alleviate the issues that caused agency involvement, if possible.

Foster Care Services

Services to families whose children must be removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect, and/or dependency. This includes placement services, providing the children with a temporary, safe environment, and arranging services to alleviate the abuse or neglect in order to reunify the family. Also includes licensing foster homes to provide a safe and protected home for these children.