The Pepin County Human Services Children, Youth, and Families Unit is dedicated to fostering safe, nurturing, and thriving environments for children, youth, and families in our community. Our mission is to support families in maintaining unity, ensuring child safety, and promoting healthy development through a range of services tailored to meet diverse needs.

Our Services

We provide a continuum of services to protect children, empower families, and strengthen our community. Below are the key programs we offer:

Child Protective Services (CPS)

Our CPS team works to protect children (born and unborn) from abuse and neglect while striving to preserve family unity. We respond to reports of alleged child maltreatment, conducting thorough investigations in accordance with Wisconsin State Statute Chapter 48. Our primary goal is to alleviate safety concerns while keeping children in their homes whenever possible. When safety risks are severe, we collaborate with families to create effective safety plans, which may involve temporary removal with the aim of reunification.

• How to Report: If you suspect child abuse or neglect, contact Pepin County Human Services during regular hours or the Sheriff’s Office after hours.
• Process: Reports are screened and investigated, and may lead to informal agreements, court orders, or case closure based on findings.

Foster Care and Kinship Care

We support children who cannot safely remain with their parents by providing foster care and kinship care services. Foster parents and relative caregivers play a vital role in offering temporary, nurturing homes. We are always seeking compassionate individuals to become foster parents, especially for sibling groups, teenagers, and children with special needs.

• Foster Care: Learn about becoming a foster parent by contacting our office at 715-672-8941.
• Kinship Care: Financial assistance is available for relatives caring for children, such as grandparents or aunts/uncles. Visit the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families for more details.

Youth Justice Services

Our Youth Justice Services focus on supporting youth involved in delinquency or truancy cases. We provide intake, assessment, and dispositional services to the court, aiming to promote accountability, build life skills, and prevent future offenses. Our approach is trauma-informed and strength-based, empowering youth to make positive choices.

• Services Include: Counseling referrals, mentoring programs, community service opportunities, and court-ordered supervision.

Family Preservation

We offer resources and programs to strengthen families and prevent crises. These include parenting education, referrals to community services, and assistance with basic needs like food, shelter, and medical care. Our goal is to equip families with the tools to thrive.

• Parent Aide Services: Hands-on support to develop parenting skills.
• Community Resources: Connections to local organizations for additional support.

Children with Special Needs

We coordinate services for children with developmental, physical, or emotional needs through programs like the Children’s Long-Term Support (CLTS) Program and Birth to 3 early intervention. The Birth to 3 Program supports children from birth to age three who have developmental delays or disabilities, offering individualized services like speech therapy, occupational therapy, and family coaching to promote early development. Our team works closely with families to create tailored plans that foster growth and prepare children for future milestones. We also help families access resources, navigate systems, and plan for their child’s future, including health care transitions.

• Contact: Call 715-672-8941 for information on eligibility and services.

Our Commitment

At Pepin County Human Services, we believe every child deserves to be safe, loved, and part of a thriving family. We partner with families, community organizations, and schools to deliver culturally sensitive, trauma-informed services. Our team is guided by Wisconsin statutes, best practices, and a commitment to equity and inclusion.