Child Protection & Family Services

Child Protective Services (CPS)

In this program, family service specialists receive and assess reports for child abuse and neglect in accordance with state law. Upon completion of the Child Protective Services (CPS) Assessment, cases are staffed with the county Child Protection Team. Services may be required if impending dangers are identified in a family and/or foster care services are needed.
 
To make a report of suspected child abuse or neglect, please complete the SFN 960 Report of Suspected Child Abuse or Neglect and fax it to 701-328-0361 or call 1-833-958-3500 (toll free) to file a report with the state's Central Intake Unit. You may also drop off a SFN960 report at your local Human Service Zone office between the hours of 8:00AM-4:30PM, Monday - Friday and staff will send it to the Central Intake Unit for you. For child protection emergencies after business hours, please contact your local law enforcement agency.

Minot Police Dept
515 2nd Ave SW
Minot, ND 58701
701.852.0111

Ward County Sheriff's Dept
315 3rd St SE
Minot, ND 58701
701.857.6500
 
 

Child Protective Services In-Home Case Management

In cases where children have been determined unsafe but impending danger is able to be controlled through an In Home Safety Plan, a case manager is assigned to assist the family in obtaining the support and services needed to reduce the identified danger and prevent foster care placement.

​Foster Care Case Management

Provision of substitute parental care to children under age 21 who are removed from the care, custody, and control of their parents due to abuse/neglect, deprivation or unruly behavior. A court order is required for placement of children in foster care with the exception of emergency, after hours situations when law enforcement can request temporary placement without a court order. Foster care may be provided in a relative home, licensed family foster home, group home, or residential care facility. Case management is provided by agency family service specialists to the child in custody and family to facilitate reunification. When reunification cannot occur, other goals are considered such as guardianship, adoption or planned permanent living for that child.

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​Family Foster Care Licensing

A service that recruits, trains, and recommends licensing for the care of children in need of out-of-home placement. This includes a home study and determining the fitness of a family to be considered as a foster parent.

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Kinship Care TANF

Kinship care assistance expands placement options for children who are in the care, custody, and control of the Human Service Zone by providing enhanced funding and services to those found eligible for the program.

Subsidized Adoption

The Subsidized adoption program provides financial assistance to increase incentives for the adoption of North Dakota children whose handicap, age, minority background, or sibling group membership might otherwise prevent their adoptive placement.

​Subsidized Guardianship​

The subsidized guardianship program provides a means for a monthly cash payment for a child's maintenance needs to an eligible guardian who provides care to an eligible child.
 

Home Studies

 
An evaluation and screening of the home, background and lifestyle of prospective relative and non-relative placement options for children in foster care. Ward County Human Service Zone does not conduct home studies in parental custody situations.

Parent Aide Services

Paraprofessional services to families, who are actively involved in case management services, that provide education and support to meet predetermined goals and assist in preventing out-of-home placement for children. Services are provided as a component of Family Preservation Services in North Dakota.

Safety & Permanency Funds

These emergency funds can be used to help prevent the placement of children, safely reunify children with their families, or assist with other permanency plans for children. However, other avenues of payment for these needs must be exhausted, such as county funds, churches, fraternal organizations, Community Action, etc., due to the limited amount of money available. This is not an ongoing source of funding.

Intensive In-Home Family Therapy Services 

North Dakota and Ward County have contracted with the Village Family Service Center to provide therapy, counseling, parenting skills, education, and community interventions to work toward resolving difficulties that could place children at risk of abuse/neglect or out-of-home placement, or if a child is in foster care and assistance is needed with reunification. 
  

Children’s Special Health Services, Clinics

Financial services for any person between birth and 21 years, whose physical function or emotional development is impaired by accident, disease, or congenital deformity. Services consist of early location of eligible children; provision of diagnostic services and treatment including medical, surgical, and hospital services for children who have certain special health conditions; and social services to children and their families.

North Dakota Health Tracks

This program is only for those under age 21 and are Medicaid eligible. This preventive health care program is directed to children who are eligible for medical assistance and places an emphasis on early diagnosis and treatment.