Intake/Access
The Centralized Intake receives all reports of child/adult abuse or neglect and referrals for programming in Barron County.
Youth & Family Services
The Youth and Families Unit is responsible for Child and Adult Protective Services, Children's Services, Foster Care, Kinship Care, Youth Justice, and Family Recovery Court.
Child Protective Services - Initial Assessment
Initial Assessment is the Child Protective Services process where initial assessment social workers complete interviews with the child(ren), parent(s), Indian custodian(s), and other adults who are in contact with the child, such as doctors and educators, and visit the home. Using this information, they determine child safety, whether additional services may be needed, and if maltreatment occurred.
Child Protective Services - Ongoing Services
The Ongoing stage in the Child Protective Services process where services are provided based on the initial assessment and conversations with the family. Services may vary based on the needs, strengths and goals of the family. Child welfare professionals will work with the family to establish goals that achieve measurable outcomes and build a safe, stable home for children.
Children's Long-Term Support Program (CLTS)
Individuals under the age of 22 could qualify for CLTS if they have a physical, developmental, or emotional disability. The purpose of CLTS is to keep individuals living in the community and out of institutional settings. CLTS is a voluntary waiver program funded through Medicaid which can provide items and services for individuals related to their disabilities.
Comprehensive Community Services Program (CCS)
The Comprehensive Community Services Program (CCS) is for youth and adults with mental health or substance use needs. Flexible and individualized services are available to Barron County residents which facilitate psychosocial rehabilitation and recovery. The program is for individuals with more needs than traditional outpatient services, but with less needs than Community Support Programs. When a referral is received, a functional screen is completed by gathering information during a face to face visit with the individual and their parents or guardians if appropriate and reviewing relevant records for the individual to determine functional eligibility. CCS is a voluntary program with a team based approach.
Barron County participates in a shared services model with Eau Claire and St. Croix Counties. We are part of the BESt CCS Program.
Family Recovery Court
Barron County Family Recovery Court (FRC) is a treatment court program for parents who have a severe to moderate substance use disorder and have a child with an open Child in Need of Protection or Services (CHIPS) case.
Foster Care
Foster Care is designed to provide temporary placement for children when their parents cannot care for them. When children must be removed from their home, for their own safety, they can be placed in a foster home. Most children are placed due to abuse, neglect or extreme cases of behavioral problems. Foster parents are recruited and trained to provide for the needs of these children, and most of all to nurture them as individuals.
Foster parents work with the Department Social Workers and a wide array of service providers to improve the quality of life for the children in their care. In addition, foster parents assist with the reunification process by partnering with the birth family and extended family members.
Youth Justice
Youth Justice provides a variety of direct and collaborative services and programming to youth and families. Our approach focuses on a balance to support youth and family connections, protect the community, hold youth accountable for their actions, and build youth skills to support productive, responsible individuals. Youth Justice workers strive to prevent or reduce uncontrollable and delinquent behavior and to strengthen family functioning.
Kinship Care
Kinship Care is the care of a child by a relative for which the relative receives a monthly payment. The Kinship Care program is designed to help support the child and the relative caregiver during the time that the child is living outside their own home, either temporarily or permanently. Kinship Care recognizes the importance of extended family and provides an alternative to foster care or other out-of-home care placements for those children who are unable to live in their own homes.