Social Services

Safe Child Council

Safe Child Council logo

Mission: Protect children and strengthen families through professional and community collaboration.

Purpose of the Safe Child Council

  1. To increase public awareness and promote the development of community resources for the prevention, intervention and remediation of child abuse.
  2. To provide public and professional education as well as gain and disseminate materials regarding potential resources and services available to families in need.
  3. Provide case consultation in an attempt to improve the response, follow-up and outcomes for children and families in need.

In an effort to meet our purpose the Sherburne County Safe Child Council sponsors a yearly bookmark contest, facilitates networking luncheons, acts as the counties mortality review panel and provides crisis directories along with materials relating to safety to the community.

The Sherburne County Safe Child Council meets the third Thursday of the month, 9:00 a.m. at the Sherburne County Government Center.

2013 Safe Child Council Schedule*
January 16th Networking Luncheon PDF
February 28th Maple B Room
March 28th Maple B Room
April 17th Networking Luncheon PDF
May 23rd Maple B Room
June 27th Maple B Room
July 25th Maple B Room
August 22nd Maple B Room
September 26th Maple B Room
October 26th Luncheon
November 21st Spruce
December 19th Maple B Room

If you have an interest in participating, want to be added to the email list or have questions or concerns, please contact Tracy Harris at 763-765-4725. If you would like to join us please download and submit a Membership application PDF

*meetings are all held at the Sherburne County Government Center on the fourth Thursday at 9am (rooms reserved until 10:30am), except December 19th. Luncheons are held on the third Wednesday

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How to Make a Child Protection Report

  • Immediate danger: Contact your local law enforcement agency. Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office 763-765-3500.
  • No immediate danger: Contact Sherburne County Health & Human Services at 763-765-4000.

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Definitions of Abuse

  • Neglect: Failure by a person responsible for a child’s care to supply a child with the necessary food, clothing, shelter, health, medical, or other care required for the child’s physical or mental health when reasonably able to do so (Minnesota Statute 626.556, subd. 2 (f).
  • Physical Abuse: Any physical injury, mental injury, or threatened injury, inflicted by a person responsible for the child’s care on a child other than by accidental means, or any physical or mental injury that cannot reasonably be explained by the child’s history of injuries (Minnesota Statute 626.556, subd. 2 (g).
  • Sexual Abuse: the subjection of a child by a person responsible for the child’s care, by a person who has a significant relationship to the child, or by a person in position of authority, to any act that constitutes a violation of Minnesota’s criminal sexual conduct statues or prostitution offenses. Sexual abuse also includes threatened sexual abuse (Minnesota Statute 626.556, subd. 2 (d).

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Persons Mandated to Report

Pursuant to Minnesota Statute 626.556, subd. 3, a person who knows or has reason to believe a child is being neglected or physically or sexually abused or has been physically or sexually abused within the preceding three years, shall immediately report the information to the local welfare agency responsible for assessing or investigating the report, police department, or the county sheriff if the person is:

  1. a professional or professional’s delegate who is engaged in the practice of the healing arts, socials services, hospital administration, psychological or psychiatric treatment, child care, education, correctional supervision, probation and correctional services, or law enforcement; or
  2. employed as a member of the clergy and received the information while engaged in ministerial duties, provided that information is not received under certain privileged circumstances (Minnesota Statute 595.02, subd. 1(c).

Any concerned citizen can make a report, the law protects reporters if the report is made in good faith.

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Resources

Culturally Diverse Services PDF
Support Services and Crisis Intervention Directory PDF
American Academy of Pediatrics
Child Help USA
Child Abuse & Neglect Clearinghouse
Child Trends
Child Welfare League of America
Minnesota Mental Health
Prevent Child Abuse America
Prevent Child Abuse Minnesota

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