Family & Child Services

Purpose

Benton County supports state and federal programs that help keep children safe, healthy, and in stable homes. We offer services that support and strengthen families. Our goal is to help children stay safely in their own homes and communities whenever possible. If that can’t happen, children may need to live somewhere else for a time. When this happens, we work to bring families back together as soon as it is safe to do so.

Assistance

Social workers assist families in identifying their strength's and needs. They assist in locating resources as close to home as possible. The Department may purchase services or directly provide services when a need is determined. A fee based income may be set.

Child Protection

How to Make a Child Protection Report

Anyone can voluntarily report suspected child abuse or neglect to local child protection services or law enforcement.

If you work with children or families, you are a mandated reporter. This means you are legally required to report any suspected abuse or neglect. Mandated reporters must make a phone report right away, and no later than 24 hours after they suspect something has happened. A written report must also be sent within 72 hours of the phone call.

Submitting a Report

A report can be made to your local county social service agency or to law enforcement. If it is an emergency, call the police at 911. A report to Benton County Human Services can be made as follows:

Monday through Friday

• Human Services Phone: 320-968-5087
• 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

After hours

• Non-emergency Benton County Sheriffs Dispatch Phone: 320-968-7201

Educational Neglect

The goal of the Benton County Educational Neglect Program is to identify children who have school attendance problems and to intervene at an earlier stage in an effort to prevent further school absences. 

Partnership

The Educational Neglect program is a partnership between the schools, County Attorney's Office, Court Services and Human Services.