Child Protective Services 

To report child abuse or neglect, call 715-726-7788, "Option 1"

Chippewa County's Child Protective Services (CPS) unit provides services to protect children who have been abused and/or neglected, or are at substantial risk of abuse and/or neglect. It is our role to make sure that children have their basic needs met - adequate food, clothing, and shelter; and to make sure they are free from physical, sexual, or emotional injury or exploitation. Our Access Team is responsible for receiving reports of abuse and neglect and providing referrals and information to community services.

Your call will be answered by a Child Protective Services Access Worker. If the worker is on the other line, you will be directed to leave a message. After hours, weekends, and holidays - reports may be made to local law enforcement.

Role of an Access Case Worker:

  • Gather information related to present and impending danger threats to child safety
  • Make screening, urgency, and response time decisions based on reported threats to child safety

Role of an Initial Assessment Case Worker:

  • Collect thorough safety information on individual and family functioning
  • Analyze information to determine if a child is unsafe using Wisconsin's Present & Impending Danger Threats
  • Engage in protective and safety planning strategies
  • Assure child safety interventions are least intrusive to the family as possible
  • Oversee and manage child safety
  • Collaborate with tribes when children have Indian ancestry

Role of an Ongoing Services Case Worker:

  • Evaluate existing safety plan developed during the initial assessment
  • Manage child safety through continuous assessment, oversight, and adjustment of safety plans
  • Engage families in a case planning process to identify services addressing threats to child safety by enhancing parent/caregiver protective capacities
  • Measure progress related to enhancing parent/caregiver protective capacities and eliminating safety related issues
  • Ensure WICWA Active Efforts are followed 

To learn more information about child and family safety, visit the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families.

Looking for "Emergency Placement Services"? The first step to CPS involvement is making a report to the Access Line. For custody modifications, please contact the Chippewa County Clerk of Courts at 715-726-7758.