Child Protective Services

Child Protective Services (CPS) responds to reports of safety concerns for children due to maltreatment by parents, household members, relatives or other caregivers. 
 

Types of Child Maltreatment

• Neglect
• Physical Abuse
• Sexual Abuse (includes Sex Trafficking)
• Emotional Abuse
• Threatened Abuse or Neglect

Definitions and Signs of Child Abuse and Neglect can be found on the State of Wisconsin Department of Children and Families webpage: https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/cps/signs
 

About Reporters

• Any concerned citizen may report to CPS.
• Some professionals are required to report suspected child maltreatment.  Information about mandated reporters can be found at: https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/cps/mandatedreporters   
• By law, the identity of a reporter may not be disclosed to anyone, unless a judge orders the information be revealed.  This type of order is very rare.
• Only certain reporters have the right to any information about what happens after they make a report.  Mandated Reporters receive a letter with limited information about whether the family was offered services or not.  Relatives who report can make a request in writing for the same type of letter.
   

Making a Report

Reports of child abuse or neglect are reviewed and addressed by the county in which the child primarily lives.  If you believe a child that lives in Sauk County has been maltreated, please contact us using one of the following means:
 

***For URGENT/Life Threatening circumstance,

 CALL 9-1-1 Immediately***
 

Phone: (608) 355-4200

Online Referral Form: https://www.co.sauk.wi.us/humanservices/child-protective-services-referral

Email: cpsaccess@saukcountywi.gov

**Online referrals and emails are monitored 8 a.m. to 4:30p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

In Person:  505 Broadway, 4^th Floor, Baraboo, Wisconsin

Mail:  P.O. Box 29, Baraboo, WI  53913

To make a report regarding a child that lives in another county in Wisconsin, you can find the appropriate County CPS contact information at: https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/reportabuse
 

CPS Process

The CPS process of investigating and providing services to families is guided by the Wisconsin Children’s Code found in State Statutes Chapter 48.  When a new report is made to CPS, the following steps take place:

• A social worker writes up an Access Report based on information a reporter provides about a family and the type of maltreatment they believe could be happening.
• A CPS supervisor reviews the information in the report and decides if it meets the guidelines of state law to initiate further investigation.
• If further investigation is warranted, the CPS supervisor will assign a time frame in which a social worker needs to make contact with the family (i.e. “same day”, “24-48 hours” or “within 5 business days”).
• An Initial Assessment Social Worker will interview family members regarding the concerns of maltreatment and assess child safety, family strengths and needs.  The worker has 60 days to complete their Initial Assessment.  The focus of the CPS assessment is on child safety and engaging families to keep children safe.  It is NOT to make criminal determinations.
• If a child is determined to be unsafe, the social worker will coordinate with the family to create a plan for keeping the child safe.  This usually involves a plan for services in the home, but sometimes temporarily removing a child is necessary.  In those rare cases, every effort is made to keep the child with someone they already know.
• If a child is removed from their home, a formal court proceeding is required and parents will be ordered to do certain things before reunification with the children can take place.
• If a child is NOT removed from their home, the family may also be required to participate in a formal court process.  Other times the family and social worker develop an Informal or Social Services agreement for the family to participate in certain services that assure safety of the child or reduce the risk of future maltreatment. 
• An Ongoing Social Worker is assigned to assist the family in meeting requirements of the court order or informal service agreement.
• When it is determined child safety can be maintained by the family without CPS intervention, the CPS case will be closed.
   

For more information about Child Protective Services, please visit Wisconsin Department of Children and Families at:  https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/reportabuse 

BECOME A FOSTER PARENT

The need for more foster homes is great. We are available to answer your questions and get you started with the licensing process. 

Click the link to learn more:  https://www.co.sauk.wi.us/humanservices/become-foster-parent

Phone:  608-827-7100 or 1-800-799-0450