Social Services

Family & Child Services - Safe Child Council

Safe Child Council logo
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

  1. 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.
  2. 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. PDF

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 PDF

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