Child Protection

To Report Child Abuse or Neglect in Polk County, Wisconsin, call 715.485.8400

The Child Protective Services unit is committed to the safety and protection of the children of Polk County, Wisconsin, by providing quality and effective family focused services. We work as partners and resources in collaboration with other agencies to achieve our mission of safety, permanency and family preservation in the community and in families. We respond to child abuse and neglect reports 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

If you suspect Child Abuse and/or Neglect of a child who lives in Polk County, Wisconsin, immediately report the situation to the Polk County Department of Children and Families at 715-485-8400.

Child Protection

Polk County Child Protective Services assesses children and families where there have been allegations of physical child abuse, sexual child abuse and child neglect, and we work with families where abuse, neglect or sexual abuse issues have been identified. Our main focus is to identify and address the safety issues that brought the family to our attention.

Our goal is to work cooperatively with families and to provide services to keep families together. Working in collaboration with community agencies, allegations of child maltreatment are addressed through services designed specifically to identify and protect victims from further abuse.

We work on maintaining children safely in their own home when that is possible. When that is not possible, Polk County Department of Children and Families provides temporary placement of a child out of the child's home. We are committed to working with families on identifying relative (kin) resources for the children and keeping the children in their own community. We work toward reunifying children safely with their parents and creating a permanent plan for the welfare of every child.

Families involved with our services will receive direct service from a caseworker, combined with services from the community and/or other service providers. Other services may include substance abuse and mental health treatment for parents and children, home-based services and sexual abuse treatment.

How to Report

If you suspect Child Abuse or Neglect of a child who lives in Polk County, Wisconsin, immediately report the situation to the Polk County Department of Children and Families at 715.485.8400. Please request to speak to the CPS Access Worker. After business hours and on weekends, please contact the Polk County Sheriff's Department at 715.485.8300. It is imperative to report immediately. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE NEXT DAY!