Wisconsin Child Safety Laws

The State of Wisconsin’s Department of Health & Family Services operates a Child Protective Services Program (CPS). The purposes of the program are:

• To protect the health, safety, and welfare of children by encouraging the reporting of suspected child abuse and neglect;
• To assure that appropriate protective services are provided to abused and neglected children and their families and to protect children from further harm;
• To provide support, counseling, and other services to children and their families to ameliorate the effects of child abuse and neglect;
• To promote the well being of the child in his or her home setting, wherever possible, or in another safe and stable placement.

Any concerned individual can report suspected abuse or neglect directly to a local child protective service agency or law enforcement agency. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Milwaukee is a “mandated reporter,” which means our staff are required by law to report any suspected abuse or neglect or threatened abuse or neglect to a child seen in the course of their professional duties. Anyone who suspects a child is being maltreated may make such a referral. Persons making reports in good faith are immune from criminal or civil liability. Reports are made to the county in which the child or the child’s family resides.

To report a suspicion of child abuse of any kind, contact the Bureau of Milwaukee Child Welfare at: 414-220-SAFE.