The purpose of Lincoln County Child Protection Services is to provide assistance in investigating allegations of child abuse and neglect.  Caseworkers respond to reports of possible child abuse or neglect.

Referrals can be made by law enforcement, schools, medical professionals, or anyone who believes there is a situation that warrants an investigation.  Each referral is screened and may be investigated by a visit or phone interview, and a determination is made whether or or not a follow up is called for.

Any referral may lead to placing the child(ren) temporarily in foster care or kinship care for their own protection.  A variety of programs and services are available for open cases, when there is a need to work with families on an ongoing basis to ensure a child's safety.

Child Protection Services serves the following children and youth:

• Children and youth who are abused or neglected
• Children and youth in need of emergency out-of-home placement
• Abandoned children and youth
• Children and youth in need of shelter because the parent or guardian has been arrested
• Children and youth in a life threatening situation, in need of emergency medical care and no parent or guardian is available to give consent.

The law requires the Department of Human Services Child Protection Services to assess each report of child abuse and neglect received. The primary focus is to protect children from abuse and neglect and provide assistance to parents in identifying family difficulties that may put their children at risk.  Services may be provided to families through the department, or refer them to services in the community.  The purpose is to assist the family in making necessary changes to promote safety and family well being.

Most of the time children are not removed from their home. However, there are times when the children must be placed out of the home for safety reasons. If the child is removed from the home, it is the goal of of Human Services to work with the family so that the child may be safely returned to his home.

If a caseworker or law enforcement officer thinks that a child is in danger in his home, placement in a foster home or other setting may be considered. Either the police can place the child in protective custody, or a motion will be filed with the court requesting an order for custody and a hearing will be held. If the police place your child in protective custody, a hearing will be held within three days. At the court hearing, you have the right to a lawyer and will have the opportunity to explain the circumstances that led to the child’s removal. The court may make the decision to remove the child based on the information presented to the court. If the court decides to keep the child in out-of-home placement, every effort will be made for you to spend time with your child.

Foster parents are temporary caregivers. They are people who care about children and want to assist families in time of trouble. The caseworker will keep in close contact with the foster parents as long as your child is in their home.

Foster parents are carefully chosen and licensed through a process that includes a criminal background check, psychological testing and an assessment of their ability to care for children. They receive special training and work with the caseworker to ensure that your child’s needs are met. The caseworker and foster parents will work with your family to enable visitation with your child.

Sometimes children are placed in licensed group homes or in residential care facilities. This depends on the special needs of the children.

Protective orders are issued by the court to protect children without removing them from their home. A typical order would stop communication and contact between individuals other than in a supervised setting.

The order might also restrict certain types of behavior in the home.  For example, a protective order could order the stop of the use of drugs or alcohol, physical punishment of a child, or smoking in the presence of a child with asthma. The protective order is in the best interests of the child and family.