Family & Child Services - Safe Child Council

Safe Child Council Logo
MISSION: Strengthen children and families through professional
and community collaboration.
VISION: Protect children and strengthen families by being a
positive influence in the community.
GOALS OF THE SAFE CHILD COUNCIL
- Execute education and awareness for our community. The Safe Child Council
will do this through sponsoring a yearly bookmark contest, providing crisis
directories for the community, sponsoring networking luncheons and providing
other published materials relating to safety.
- Provide case consultation: Agencies are invited to meetings to present a case
for review. Through the expertise of the team, we will attempt to improve the
response, follow-up and outcomes for children and families.
DEFINITIONS OF ABUSE:
- Neglect: The failure by parents or caretakers to provide a child with
necessary food, shelter, clothing, medical care or education.
- Physical Abuse: Any physical, mental or threatened injury inflicted by
a person responsible for the child’s care. Any injury that cannot be
explained by child’s history of injuries.
- Sexual Abuse: The subjection of a child to sexual contact by a person
responsible for the child’s care.
WHO SHOULD REPORT ABUSE?
Any professional who works with children and families is required by law to
make a child protection report if they know or have reason to believe that
abuse has occurred. Any concerned citizen can make a report. The law
protects reporters if the abuse report is made in good faith.
HOW TO MAKE A CHILD PROTECTION REPORT
- Immediate danger: Contact your local law enforcement agency.
Sherburne County Sheriffs Department 763-765-3500.
- No immediate danger: Contact Sherburne County Social Services
at 763-765-4000.
If you are interested in the Safe Child Council please review our
bylaws.

The Safe Child Council meets the third Thursday of the month at 9:00 am at the Government Center. If you have an interest in participating, want to be added to the email list or have questions or concerns, please contact Nicole Ross at 320-980-5088. If you would like to join us please download and submit a Membership application 
2009-2010 Safe Child Council Officers:
- Chair: Nicole Ross: The Creative Therapy Center
- Vice Chair: Deanna Austin: Serenity Circle Counseling
- Co-Treasurer: Jennifer Baker : Sherburne County Court Services
- Co-Treasurer: Eric Balabon : Elk River Police Department
- Secretary: Arden Fitz, Sherburne County Attorney's Office
- Past Chair: Victoria Johannes : Sherburne County Social Services