802 children or 7 percent of all victims suffered sexual abuse. 109 children or less than 1 percent of all victims suffered emotional abuse or mental injury. Some children suffered more than one form of abuse or neglect. County staff investigate child abuse and neglect reports When counties receive a report of possible child abuse or neglect, staff decide whether to complete an assessment to determine if maltreatment occurred. If an assessment is performed, county staff submit a report to the state.
Counties work closely with the police on investigations.
In addition to conducting assessments and making referrals to county attorneys offices, county staff often provide support services, such as counseling or parent education, to help families in crisis. DHS, counties and the University of Minnesota provide competency-based training for county child protection staff to ensure they have the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to complete their work in the child protection system. Through Minnesota's Alternative Response Program county social service agencies are able to replace the traditional investigative response to some child maltreatment reports with family assessments and services. These types of programs have worked in other states, ensuring children are safer by engaging families sooner. DHS, in collaboration with the McKnight Foundation, offers financial support for county implementation and evaluation of their Alternative Response Programs.