Children & Families

Child Protective Services

The CPS Unit receives and investigates reports of child abuse and neglect.

At investigation, the CPS purpose is to:

  • Assess the safety of the children in the home.
  • Identify the present or absence of conditions in the home and behaviors, perceptions and attitudes of family members related to the risk of maltreatment.
  • Assess whether the family needs services in order to change conditions related to the risk of maltreatment.
  • Introduce the agency as a provider of help.
  • Respond to the immediate needs of the family.
  • If warranted, take action to control circumstances jeopardizing child safety.

For more information, please contact the department at (715) 362-5695 or (888) 662-5695 or click on the following:

Youth Justice

The primary goal of services is to prevent or reduce uncontrollable and/or runaway behavior. In addition to redirecting the juvenile’s behavior, attention and intervention efforts are given to strengthen parental control and functioning.

Services may include:

  • Supervision by Social Work staff
  • Parenting Education
  • In-home family services
  • Coordinated Services Team (CST)

For more information:

Juvenile Court Intake Services

Juvenile court intake workers provide services to the court, juveniles, and families in which the juvenile has committed an act that is against the law. Our agency receives referrals from law enforcement and confers with the District Attorney’s Office regarding the disposition of the case. An Intake Inquiry is conducted for each case and a decision is made how to proceed.

The following options are available:

  • Counsel and release
  • Deferred Prosecution Agreement
  • Referral to the District Attorney recommending juvenile court intervention

Juvenile Intake Services – Juvenile intake services are provided 24 hours per day, 7 days per week for the purpose of screening children and juveniles taken into custody by law enforcement. They also assist law enforcement in investigating cases of child abuse/neglect.

For more information:

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Safe Haven (Infant Relinquishment) Information

𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞 𝐇𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐬 -𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝟏 𝐨𝐟 𝟑 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬

Safe Haven, also known as “infant relinquishment,” allows a parent to leave their newborn in a safe place in certain circumstances with certain individuals.

𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨 𝙎𝙖𝙛𝙚 𝙃𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙣 (𝙄𝙣𝙛𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙍𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙦𝙪𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩) 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠?

Under Wisconsin law: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/sta…/statutes/48/IV/195/1; a parent can leave their unharmed newborn child under 72 hours old with a:

▪  Police Officer

▪  911 Emergency Medical Staff Person

▪   Hospital Staff Member

without fear of legal consequences. If you do not indicate that you will be back for your child this is called “Safe Haven” or “Infant Relinquishment.” You do not have to give your name or address to the professional accepting the baby, unless:

▪  The baby has been harmed

▪  You are being forced by someone to give up the baby

▪  The baby is more than 3 days old

You may be asked if you are willing to fill out a form. This form is NOT required. It will, however, help providers give the best care to your infant now and in the future.

For more information visit:  https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/cps/safehaven

How to make a referral to the agency or request information

Oneida County Department of Social Services
1 South Oneida Avenue
PO Box 400
Rhinelander, WI 54501
Phone: (715) 362-5695 or (888) 662-5695

Email: [email protected]

More Information