Child Services

Affordable child care is important to Todd County families. It aids children’s healthy development and gives parents peace of mind. Parents who have low incomes may get help paying for it through the Child Care Assistance Programs (CCAP).

Child Care Assistance Program

It is important to know that your child is well cared for while you are at work or going to school. Minnesota’s Child Care Assistance Programs (CCAP) can help make quality child care affordable for eligible families. There are options for families receiving public assistance through the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) or the Diversionary Work Program (DWP) and other income-eligible families.

Administration of the Child Care Assistance Program

Child Care Assistance Application Forms

MN Child Care Assistance Program Application
Consent For The Release Of Information
Cooperation w/ Child Support Enforcement
Referral to Support and Collections and Understanding Child Support, a Handbook for Parents
Authorization for Release of Employment Information
Child Care Assistance Program Student Income and Expense Form

Below documents are required information for you to review.

Client Responsibilities and Rights
Health and Safety Resource List
Child Care Assistance Program Guidelines
Child Care Provider Information
Income Verification Requested
Self-employment Income Requirements
Notice of Privacy Practices
Do you have a disability?
Safe Sleep for Your Baby
Do You Need Help Paying for Child Care?

Forms Needed if Changes Occur (Changes Must be reported within 10 days)

Authorization for Release of Employment Information
Child Care Assistance – Change Report Form

Licensed Child Care Providers

Search for Licensed Child Care providers

Job Search -Please call for more information.

For more information regarding child care assistance in Todd County, please call Todd County Health and Human Services at 320-732-4500.

Todd County partners with Sourcewell for all family child care licensing services. Find licensing information and forms on the Sourcewell website. Are you interested in becoming licensed? Learn more and start the process by contacting a regional licensing specialist at licensing@sourcewell-mn.gov.

Applications/Forms

Todd County Health and Human Services performs licensing duties on behalf of the Minnesota Department of Human Services for family child care, child foster care and adult foster care services.  Applicants must complete the required elements of the licensing process and meet the minimum standards of care and physical environment. These standards are enforced to protect the health, safety and rights of persons receiving these services.

Foster Family requirements:

• Live in Todd County
• Be at least 21 years old, financially stable and responsible adults
• Complete the application and homestudy process
• Provide Todd County with three references
• Complete the Child Foster Care background study data collection form on all household members  age 13 and older
• Live in a home that meets fire and safety code
• Have appropriate sleeping space
• Attend 12 hours of ongoing training each year

Foster Parents are not Alone

• Todd County provides a stipend to foster parents, paying a standardized rate monthly for room and board. This rate is meant to cover the child’s personal needs and clothing.
• Medical and dental costs are covered by Medical Assistance or other medical insurance, not the foster family.
• Each child has a placement social worker who arranges the placement, assists with problems and finds resources to meet the child’s needs.

For more information regarding child foster care licensing in Todd County, please call Todd County Health and Human Services at 320-732-4500.

Child Foster Care Information from the Minnesota Department of Human Services:

“Will you Care for the Children?”

Foster Care: Making a Difference in the lives of families and children

Concerns about child abuse or neglect

Minnesota’s child protection system responds to situations where children are alleged to be maltreated and helps support families to safely care for their children. The Department of Human Services works with Minnesota’s 87 counties, 11 federally recognized tribes and community-based providers to support interventions that strengthen families and prevent child maltreatment.

Providing resources to families for basic needs, such as housing or child care, significantly improve the safety of children in their homes and communities.

In Minnesota, approximately 25,000 children are reported for abuse and neglect to the child protection system each year, which counties and tribes assess. The department’s fact sheet on Child Safety and Permanency (PDF)  provides current statistical information.

• What is considered abuse and neglect in Minnesota?
• How do I report abuse or neglect?
• Call the county or tribal social service agency, or the police, where the child lives if you believe that a child is being hurt or neglected.
• Some people, whose jobs involve caring for children, such as doctors, teachers and ministers, are required by law to report suspected child abuse or neglect.
• Other people, such as neighbors or relatives, are encouraged to report if they think a child is being abused or neglected. Your report is confidential and your name cannot be released to the family except by a court order.
• What happens after a report is made?
• What should families know about the process?

Programs for youth who have been sexually exploited

Youth who are victims of sex trafficking can get help with emergency shelter, transitional living and other supportive services. Various community groups provide these services through Minnesota’s Safe Harbor for Youth programs.

Options for mothers who cannot keep their babies

Mothers who are not able to care and provide for their child can consider placing their baby for adoption. Many organizations in Minnesota can help with this. In extreme situations, new mothers can leave their newborn up to seven days old at certain locations under the state’s Safe Place for Newborns law.

Child Passenger Safety

Car Seat Checks and Education

Find out if your car seat is right for your child… Child Passenger Safety Technicians are available to answer questions regarding child safety seats and check your car seats.  During an appointment seats are evaluated for defects, recall listings, suitability for the age of the child, and fit with the safety belt system in the vehicle. This service is available at no charge.

Car Seat Distribution – Medica or South Country Health Alliance insurance plans provide car seats.  Contact your health plan to determine if you are eligible. Call Todd County Health & Human Services to schedule an appointment time to receive a child safety seat and instructions on proper use and installation.

Child and Teen Checkups

Child and Teen Checkups are well child exams for children, teens and young adults who are enrolled in or eligible for Medical Assistance.  These can be done at your medical provider’s office or at Todd County Health and Human Services.  Todd County Health and Human Services can also assist families in finding a provider and transportation.

Checkups include:

• Hearing Screening
• Vision Screening
• Growth and Development Screening
• Social Emotional Screening
• Oral Health Screening
• Physical Exam
• Lab Tests
• Immunizations
• Age Appropriate Information on Health, Nutrition & Safety
• Dental Referral & Oral Health Resources

Call Todd County Health and Human Services for more information 320-732-4500.

Family Planning Health Services

Services Provided:

• Health Education
• Family Planning
• Physical Exams – Males & Females
• Pregnancy Testing & Counseling
• Pap Smear
• Reproductive Health Services
• STI Screening and Treatment

Cost:

• Services are low-cost to free.
• Charges for services will be based on your income and family size.
• All insurances are accepted
• No one is refused service due to the inability to pay.

For more information visit: Mahube-OTWA Community Action, Inc. or call Angel to schedule an appointment at 320-732-4542

Follow Along Program

Babies and young children grow and learn at their own rate.  Let the Follow Along Program help you know if your child is playing, talking, growing, moving and acting like other children.

What is the Follow Along Program?

• A good way to learn about your child and follow their physical and social emotional health and development.
• A fun way to get ideas about “what to teach” and “at what age” to teach it.
• An easy way to find out about other services you may want for your child or family.

How does the Follow Along Program work?

• Questionnaires are sent to you every 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 30 and 36 months of age.  You fill them out and send them back to us.
• We will tell you the results.  If there are any concerns, someone will get in touch with you.  Together, we can plan what to do next.
• Information about fun activities for you and your child to do together are sent when you return the questionnaires.
• There is no cost to you.

How do I enroll in Follow Along Program?

• Online enrollment
• Call Todd County Health and Human Services today to sign your child up.

Additional Resources:

• https://helpmegrowmn.org/HMG/index.htm
• https://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/cfh/program/cyshn/

Home Visits

Supporting Family Health and Development

Public Health Nurses visit families at home or in the office to assist parents as they create a healthy, nurturing environment for their children. Visits are voluntary and tailored to individual family’s interests and needs. Nurses engage mothers and fathers in a variety of discussions about pregnancy health, breastfeeding, infant cares, parenting, family planning, nutrition, child health, growth, development and safety. Public Health Nurses also support families in reaching their goals and help to connect them with supportive resources in the community.

Teen Pregnancy

When a teen 17 years old or younger delivers a baby, the hospital must file a report with the state within three days. The state then sends these reports on to the county of residence.

Public Health and Social Services then can provide assistance to these young parents. Pregnant teens on public assistance must work with both Social Services and Public Assistance. However, public health services are optional.

Services available

From Social Services

• Help to find housing and transportation
• Educational planning and career development
• Assistance with locating day care
• Support groups

From Public Assistance

• Financial and medical assistance
• Help in establishing parentage

From Public Health

• Help in preparing for labor and delivery
• Education on infant care and growth and development
• Immunizations and well child care
• Referral to the WIC program

Find out more

For additional information on services available, contact Todd County Health and Human Services at 320-732-4500.

View Calendar >

The Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC) provides nutritional education and supplemental foods which promote good health for pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women and for infants and children up to age five.

Eligibility: Pregnant women, a breastfeeding woman who has had a baby within the last 12 months, infants up to 1 year of age and children ages 1 to 5 years old who living in Todd County, are at nutritional risk, and meet income guidelines or are enrolled in adjunctly eligible programs.

For more information on eligibility, visit: http://www.health.state.mn.us/wicapply

How Do I apply for WIC?

• Call the Todd County WIC Program at 320-732-4456 or 1-888-838-4066.
• Talk to the WIC Staff to determine eligibility and to schedule an appointment.

If determined eligible:

• Enjoy nutrition education, referrals to needed services and
• Vouchers for nutritious supplemental foods and a list of grocery stores where you can shop to exchange your vouchers for WIC approved foods.

Todd County Health and Human Services
212 2nd Avenue S., Long Prairie MN 56347
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 am – 4:30 pm
320-732-4456 or 1-888-838-4066

Intake workers answer phone calls and meet with the general public to provide information regarding services available to address identified needs. Referrals may be made to outside agencies, if appropriate.

Individuals with questions about community resources or needing agency services may contact an intake worker by phone at 320-732-4500. To make an Adult Protection Report, please call the Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center at:  1-844-880-1574

Mandated Reporters may file an online report through: MN Adult Abuse Reporting Center VA-CEP Report