The job of Marion County Children Services is to help children have a safe and stable place to live. It is best if children are raised by their natural parents; however, sometimes that isn't possible if the children are at risk of being harmed by their families.

When we receive a call about a suspected case of child abuse or child neglect, we thoroughly investigate the situation. If we find that abuse or neglect has occurred, our primary concern is the safety of the child.

If the parents agree to get help, and if the home is stable and safe, we leave the child in the home and closely monitor the parents' progress.

If there is serious risk of harm to the child, we try to find a relative or family friend who will take custody of the child until it is safe for him or her to return home. If that is not possible, then we ask the Juvenile Court to temporarily remove the child from the family and place the child in a safe and stable foster home. If the situation improves, the child is returned to his or her home and the family is reunited.

Our primary goal is to protect children from situations of abuse or neglect.