Carver County, MN
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There are many factors that challenge a family’s ability to provide a safe and secure environment for children. It is our assumption that parents and caregivers want to meet their children's needs and protect them from harm. Mental Health, substance use, homelessness, financial stressors, unexpected health issues, loss of supports, special needs of a child, family violence, and past trauma are all examples of situations that can make it difficult to provide the quality of care that caregivers want to provide. This page provides some things you can do to help support families in your community and resources for families who might need some support.
What can I do if I am concerned about a family?
Here are some things that you can do to support families:
- Keep an open mind. Many families are forced to make very difficult decisions about how they can best meet their family’s needs. By keeping an open mind, we can respect the family and recognize their strengths.
- Invite the family into a relationship. Positive social connections are one of the primary protective factors for children. These connections provide informal supports and safety nets for families who may be going through a difficult time. Many families are some distance from their natural supports while others may have difficulty trusting due to their life experience. Be patient and authentic in your approach.
- Listen to the family. Families often know exactly what they need and if we can take the time to listen, we will know how to help them best. If the family does not know what they need, offer suggestions. Concrete supports like freezer meals, kids’ clothing, and babysitting often help families in a tangible way.
- Share available resources. Some families are not aware of the available resources. In addition, there is often stigma attached to accessing specific resources. Normalizing the need for support is helpful as most families struggle with challenges at one point or another.
- Noticing patterns or routines. Noticing the day-to-day routines of a family or child can help you recognize changes and determine if you might want to reach out to the family or to call on others to do so.
- It is the family's choice to accept support. Some families may not actually need additional assistance, while other families may not be ready to accept assistance. If that is the case, share that you are available in the future.
When should I report child maltreatment?
Suspected child abuse or neglect should be reported to the Child and Family Department by calling 952-361-1600. If it is an emergency, call law enforcement at 911. Some people qualify as Mandated Reporters and have specific responsibilities in reporting maltreatment. Additional information can be found here.
Carver County utilizes the Signs of Safety Approach, which is a strength-based, safety-focused intervention strategy. This method focuses on recognizing existing safety and building additional safety demonstrated over time to prevent future child abuse and neglect.
Resources for Families
The Caver County Family Resource Guide provides many resources to families in Carver County. This guide includes many of the same resource listed below with a few additions to include medical, dental, hearing and vision care, reproductive health, food and transportation assistance.