Not everyone feels safe and secure in his own home. Many children do not have the loving supportive parents that they see on the television and are instead faced with abuse and neglect. CHIPS stands for a Child in Need of Help or Protection and is part of Minnesota’s juvenile law system to protect youth from abuse and neglect. It allows the state social services to become involved in certain family member issues when deemed necessary.

CHIPS is responsible for providing assistance in the following juvenile law cases:

• Juvenile delinquency and criminal offenses
• Truancy
• Child neglect
• Child abuse

Child Protection Services

The goal of child protection is to ensure that the safety of a child is put first. If the child’s home situation is threatening his welfare, then CHIPS will interfere and prevent any further instances of harm from happening.

CHIPS has two main goals, as defined in the CHIPS Petition. CHIPS strives to make:

• “reasonable efforts “to reunite the child with the child’s parents or guardians in a home that is safe and permanent; and
• if the placement with the parents is not reasonably foreseeable, to secure for the child a safe an permanent placement, preferably with adoptive parents or a fit and willing relative through the transfer of permanent legal and physical custody

Filing a CHIPS Petition

Anyone who knows the child can file a CHIPS petition through the County Social Services offices. This can include a neighbor, a teacher or a friend who suspects the child is abused or neglected. The social services agency will then conduct an investigation to determine if the allegations are true. There are many instances where a CHIPS petition does not end in the child being removed from the home. Often counseling or social work intervention is offered to the family. Once child protection is involved, they may require a psychological or physical examination of any family members involved in the investigation.

Who is in Need of Protection?

A child may be in need of protection if any of the following are found true:

• The child is abandoned without a parent, guardian or custodian
• The child is a victim of physical, sexual or verbal abuse or resides in a home where this takes place
• The child is found without adequate food, clothing, shelter, education and other care
• The child is without the special care made necessary by a physical, mental, or emotional condition because the child’s parent, guardian, or custodian is unable or unwilling to provide that care
• The child is medically neglected or experiencing growth delays
• The parent, guardian or custodian wishes to be relieved of the duty as a care giver and has just cause for doing so
• The child has been placed for adoption or care in violation of the law
• The child has engaged in prostitution
• The child is a runaway or a habitual truant
• The child has committed a crime before the age of ten

Implications of CHIPS

Facing child abuse or neglect charges can be devastating for the entire family. As a parent, you may feel disgusted and cheated, angry or afraid and not know where to turn. You will need a qualified family law attorney on your side to help you through this legal nightmare and ensure that your children are back in your arms.

How Can We Help?

If you or someone you love is having difficulties with any matters pertaining to the Minnesota juvenile law and child protection services, then it is important you speak with a qualified family law attorney right away.  The sooner you make the call, the quicker our lawyers can assess your case and ensure the best outcome possible for everyone involved, especially your children. Contact Schneider, Baudler & Abbott PC today at 763-315-1100 or by e-mail to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced child protection lawyers.

Minneapolis CHIPS Attorneys and Child Protection Lawyers

Schneider, Baudler and Abbott PC represent clients from throughout the areas of Minneapolis, St.Paul, MN or anywhere in the whole Twin Cities area – Saint Paul, MN Mpls, Anoka, Apple Valley, Andover, Blaine, Bloomington, Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Burnsville, Champlin, Chanhassen, Columbia Heights, Coon Rapids, Cottage Grove, Crystal, Eagan, Eden Prairie, Edina, Excelsior, Falcon Heights, Farmington,  Forest Lake, Fridley, Golden Valley, Hastings, Hopkins, Inver Grove Heights, Lake Elmo, Lakeville, Lino Lakes, Little Canada, Long Lake, Mahtomedi, Maple Grove, Maplewood, Mendota Heights, Minneapolis, Minnetonka, Mounds View, New Hope, North St. Paul, Oakdale, Plymouth, Prior Lake, Richfield, Robbinsdale, Rogers, Rosemount, Roseville, St. Anthony, St. Louis Park, Savage, Shakopee, Shoreview, South St. Paul, Spring Lake Park, Stillwater, Vadnais Heights, West St. Paul, White Bear Lake, and Woodbury, MN – Minnesota.