If you suspect a child is experiencing abuse or neglect, please contact: 262-638-7720.

Child Protective Services

Racine County’s Child Protective Services (CPS) is responsible for responding to reports of child abuse and neglect to ensure the immediate safety and well-being of children. CPS works in partnership with families to assess risks, provide interventions, and connect parents and caregivers to resources that support safe and healthy home environments.

The primary goal of CPS is to protect children while keeping families together whenever possible. When concerns of abuse or neglect arise, CPS professionals assess the situation, determine the level of risk, and provide services designed to strengthen families and reduce future harm. In some cases, this may involve safety planning, referrals to community programs, or legal action if necessary to secure a child’s safety.

CPS operates under state and federal laws that guide child welfare practices and ensure that all children have the opportunity to grow up in safe, stable, and nurturing environments.


Child Abuse includes any of the following:

  • Physical injury inflicted on a child through non-accidental means.
  • Serious physical harm to an unborn child, or the risk of such harm at birth, caused by an expectant mother’s severe and habitual use of alcohol or controlled substances.
  • Sexual abuse, including sexual intercourse, sexual contact, exploitation, exposing a child to sexual content, or permitting or encouraging prostitution.
  • Manufacturing methamphetamine in the presence of a child, in a child’s home, or in a vehicle on the premises.
  • Emotional harm when a parent, guardian, or legal custodian neglects, refuses, or is unable (for reasons other than poverty) to seek appropriate treatment or address the symptoms.
Child Neglect occurs when a parent, guardian, or legal custodian fails, refuses, or is unable (for reasons other than poverty) to provide necessary care, food, clothing, medical or dental care, or shelter—placing the child’s physical health at serious risk.