Reporting Maltreatment / Abuse

A Caring Company, Inc. knows that many of our clients rely on others for security and guardianship. That is why we strive to create and keep a safe living environment for each of our clients. Illness, accident, or disability has left many of them lacking the certain life skills needed to protect themselves from being abused, exploited, neglected, or taken advantage of. Our PCAs are taught to keep an eye out for signs that may indicate possible cases of maltreatment. If a PCA does notice something, he/she must follow the reporting guidelines below.

Guidelines for Making a Report

Being a mandated reporter requires you to submit a report if you notice or suspect maltreatment. Your identity as a reporter will always be kept confidential. The guidelines for making a report for an adult compared with a child are slightly different.

Immediate Danger

If an individual, adult or child, is in immediate danger, CALL 911 immediately. Do not delay.

Prior to Report

Prior to your report, be prepared to answer the following:

What happened or what did you notice?

To whom did it occur and who may be responsible?

When and where did it happen?

Where is the vulnerable adult / child right now?

Do you believe it was a singular event or is it likely to reoccur? And how soon?

Who else might have information on the situation?

Any other information on all parties involved is helpful.

Vulnerable Adults

All reports of maltreatment of vulnerable adults across the state of Minnesota should be made to the Department of Human Services' Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center. They will inform you of what steps you need to take for your report. Know that The Minnesota Vulnerable Adults Act provides immunity from civil and criminal liability when a report is made in good faith.

Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center - Website

Phone: 844-880-1574
Webpage: Instructions are provided on the site.

Children

Mandated reporters who suspect maltreatment of a child must make a call immediately (no later than 24 hours after they suspect that maltreatment may have occurred) and follow up with a written report within 72 hours. Requirements for reporting are outlined in the "Reporting of Maltreatment of Minors Act" (Minn. Stat. 626.556). Because maltreatment of an child is dealt with by child protective services, reporting an issue should be done directly to the county that the child lives in. Instructions on how to get into contact with and how to make a report for the counties we currently have clients in are listed below (some instructions have been taken directly from the county's webpage).

Anoka - Website

Immediate Danger: "If the child is in immediate danger, call 911 or Anoka County at 763-427-1212. Report the child's name, age, and address or school, the reason for the report, and any other pertinent information you have. If known, report the alleged offender and relationship with the child, parents' names, address, and telephone number."
Nonimmediate Danger: "To report suspected abuse or neglect of a child living in Anoka County, please call 763-422-7125. You may also print the Child Maltreatment Report Form on the website and fax it to 763-422-6929. The identity of the reporter will be treated as confidential information."

Dakota - Website

How to Report: "To report suspected child abuse or neglect, call 952-891-7459. If ever a child is in immediate danger, call 911 or your local police or sheriff's department. Calls during the evening, weekend, or otherwise outside County office hours to report suspected child abuse or neglect should be made to the Dakota County Crisis Response Unit at 952-891-7171."

Kandiyohi - Website

Monday-Friday, 8am-4:30pm: 320-231-7800, Ask for Intake
After Business Hours, Weekends and Holidays: 320-235-1260 (Kandiyohi County Sheriff's Office)

Ramsey - Website

Business Hours: 651-266-4500
After Hours and Weekends: 651-291-6795

Hennepin - Website

Make a Report "Call 612-348-3552 within 24 hours and personally file a written report within 72 hours of the verbal report (excluding weekends and holidays)... An intake worker is available 24 hours a day to take reports... (Or) You may report suspicions of child abuse to the Minneapolis Police Department 24 hours a day by calling 911. The operator will ask you to describe the circumstances and then dispatch a squad to take a report."

Scott - Website

How to Report "Call Health and Human Services Central Intake 952-445-7751 to file a report of child abuse or neglect. Reports can be made Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. After hours reports can be made to your local law enforcement."

Stearns - Website

Business Hours: 320-656-6225
After Hours and Weekends: 320-251-4240

Washington - Website

Oral Report: "If you want to make an immediate oral report of physical or sexual abuse, neglect or exploitation of a child, please call 651-430-6457 between 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. After hours, you may call Emergency Social Services at 651-291-6795 to make a report."
Written Report: "If you wish to make a written report and email it, please fill out the Referral of Suspected Child Abuse or Neglect form. Incomplete forms may result in the report not being accepted.