Family Services Unit

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The Family Services Unit is responsible for providing services to children and their families that are experiencing issues in their lives which impact daily functioning. These issues may be delinquency, abuse, neglect, or a need for special services that the parent/guardian may not be able to provide. The focus is to assist families to become self sufficient in an environment that provides for safety.

For the provision of services, an assessment is conducted to determine the most appropriate resources. Services available through the Family Services Unit include but are not limited to the following:

• Information and Referral Services
• Child Protective and Child Welfare Services
• Juvenile Court Intake Services
• Alternate Care Services
• Child Care Certification
• Foster Home Licensure
• Independent Living Services

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INFORMATION AND REFERRAL SERVICES:

Workers are available to provide information and make referrals to resources in the community on a variety of issues facing children and families.

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CHILD PROTECTIVE AND CHILD WELFARE SERVICES:

The purpose of Child Protective Services is to receive allegations of child abuse and neglect and to determine the appropriate level of response. Workers assess family conditions, circumstances and behaviors to determine if families need agency intervention in order to keep their children safe. Referrals are also received on situations where there may be child welfare concerns that do not require a child protection response. Once an assessment is complete, intervention services if needed are coordinated with the family and other agencies focusing on protection of the child and enhancing the ability of the family to function as a responsible nurturing unit. Services may be voluntary or court ordered. If you wish to make a report or have questions please call the Family Services Unit at 715-468-4747, Monday through Friday 8:00a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You may contact the Washburn County Sheriff’s Department after agency work hours, on weekends or holidays. The names of reporters for child abuse and neglect are kept confidential.

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JUVENILE COURT INTAKE SERVICES:

Delinquency Referrals are received from law enforcement agencies on youth 10 and older but under 17 who have violated criminal codes, state or federal. JIPS Referrals (Juveniles in Need of Protection and/or Services) involve youth under the age 18 who are truant from home or school, uncontrollable at home or under the age of 10 who has committed a delinquent act. The Juvenile Court Intake Worker will screen the referrals by conducting an Intake Inquiry Meeting and making a recommendation to the District Attorney. Supervision may be provided under a deferred prosecution agreement or by court order with specific conditions. Completing an assessment and developing a case plan will identify services. Focus is given to redirect the juvenile's behavior. Workers continue with cases focusing on community protection, youth accountability and rehabilitation. Victim’s rights are also complied with.

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ALTERNATE CARE SERVICES:

Alternate Care Services are utilized when children/juveniles are not able to live in their own home. Most placements are meant to be temporary while staff works with the family in changing the conditions that led to the placement and reunifying the child(ren) with their family or identifying other options to achieve permanency. Placements options include relatives, foster homes, group homes, residential care and juvenile corrections. Placements with relatives may be eligible for payment under the Kinship Care Program if certification requirements are met.

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CHILD CARE CERTIFICATION:

Contact Washburn County Human Services if you wish to be certified to provide daycare in your home or want a listing of certified daycare providers.

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FOSTER HOME LICENSURE:

The agency is responsible to recruit and license foster families. Those wishing to open their homes to foster children aged 0-18 may contact the agency to get further information on becoming licensed. Financial and emotional support is provided to foster parents in addition to specialized training.

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INDEPENDENT LIVING SERVICES:

Children who have resided in alternate care after the age of 15 are eligible for Independent Living Services that prepare them to experience successful transition from adolescence to adulthood. Individualized assessments are given to identify areas of need to include but not limited to budgeting, food preparation, education, employment, housing, medical/mental health and legal. Following the assessment a plan is developed to address those needs. Youth may continue to receive Independent Living Services until age 21.

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