Child Protection Services (CPS)

 To make a report call:  651-266-4500

Child Protection Initial Screening Criteria

Screening Criteria (pdf)

Maltreatment Reporting Form

The following criteria will be used for other non-Child Protection assessments:

Children with Handicaps

1. Child with mental retardation (IQ of 70 or below) or related conditions will be assessed for service.
2. A person has a "related condition" if that person has a severe, chronic disability that is:

1. Attributable to cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, or any other condition other than mental illness found to be closely related to mental retardation because the condition results in impairment of general intellectual functioning or adaptive behavior similar to that of persons with mental retardation and requires treatment or services similar to those required for persons with mental retardation.
2. Is likely to continue indefinitely.
3. Results in substantial functional limitations in three or more of the following areas of major life activities: Self-care, understanding and use of language, learning, mobility, self-direction or capacity for independent living.
4. A person with a physically handicapping condition, which meets the functional limitation above.

1. Callers will be encouraged to contact the parents of the perpetrator and the police.
2. If the police have not been notified of an act that if committed by an adult, would constitute a criminal offense, CPS will notify them.
3. If there is reason to believe the perpetrator is a victim of sexual abuse (or has been within the last 3 years) an abuse assessment will be conducted.

Following the report that a minor has given birth to a child, the minor mother will be contacted and an assessment made of the plans for herself and her child.

Reports of a minor mom under age 16 married and/or not living in parental home will be assessed as neglect by CPS.

This program is designed to assist severely emotionally disturbed children and their families to plan, access, and coordinate needed mental health services. Criteria are as follows:

1. Current diagnostic assessment completed by a mental health professional within 90 days of the referral. This assessment must include a DSM-IV mental health diagnosis and a current CGAS rating at 40 or below which is supported by documentation of specific behaviors. We do not accept a GAF rating.
2. Documentation of previous treatment efforts in the community should be included as well as a statement that the child's problems have been at this level for one year, or, if no intervention is provided that these problems are likely to continue at this level for one year.
3. If outpatient therapy and/or medication are the only interventions needed, then the child is not eligible for case management services.

1. Intake for requests by other counties/states who have determined maltreatment on parent who then moves into Ramsey County. Supporting documentation from referral source required.
2. Courtesy interviews for other counties/states outside of the Metro County Agreement area, when a victim has moved to Ramsey prior to interview where assessment is being conducted. If criminal investigation is being done the request is sent to appropriate police department.
3. Assessment of referrals from the police or RC Attorneys of a child who has not yet reached his/her 10th birthday who has violated criminal statutes to the degree that if the child were older, a delinquency petition would have been filed.
4. Placement of children in need of care while parent is in hospital/treatment if no responsible relatives are available.
5. Requests by financial to approve service plan and financial approval for children ages 16-18 living independently.
6. Requests by financial to determine relationship of non-adjudicated custodial dads, or when caretaker has questionable documentation of relationship.
7. Refer victims of non- familial sexual abuse to counseling resources.
8. Referrals for assessment from Family or Domestic Abuse Court.
9. Request for changes in adoption subsidy.
10. Home studies of parents when another state has custody and requests home study through interstate compact.
11. Interstate referrals for relative or non-relative foster care.

MN Department of Human Services – Child Protection

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