Family Services

The county attorney initiates CHIPS (Child in Need of Protecting or Services) petitions to protect abused or neglected children in the county. The county attorney starts legal proceedings to protect the health and safety of vulnerable adults within the county when they are in need of assistance. The county attorney also files involuntary commitment actions to provide necessary treatment for individuals who are mentally ill, chemically dependent, or mentally retarded.

When a family is receiving public assistance, the county attorney brings actions to obtain or enforce child support obligations or to establish the paternity of a child, in order to obtain reimbursement for assistance and other costs to the taxpayers. Parents not receiving federal or state monetary assistance may also apply for and receive these child support enforcement or paternity establishment services from the county attorney at minimal cost.