CHIPS (Child in Need of Protection or Services)
A court case where the county asks a judge to intervene because a child may be experiencing abuse, neglect, or other harm.
CHIPS stands for “Child in Need of Protection or Services.” It is a civil court case, not a criminal case. A CHIPS case begins when a county child protection agency believes a child is being harmed or is at risk of harm. The county files a petition in court asking a judge to step in and make orders to protect the child. Common reasons include physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, or a parent who cannot care for a child due to substance use or mental health issues.
Parents in a CHIPS case have important legal rights. They have the right to a lawyer, and if they cannot afford one, the court will appoint one for free. Parents also have the right to a trial and the right to be heard at every hearing. In Minnesota, the court will create a “case plan” that lists the steps a parent must take to address the concerns. These steps might include completing treatment, attending parenting classes, or finding stable housing.
If a parent follows the case plan and makes progress, the CHIPS case can be closed and the family can be reunited. But if the problems are not resolved within a certain time, the county may ask the court to terminate parental rights (TPR). Under Minnesota law, the county must consider filing for TPR if a child has been in out-of-home placement for 12 of the most recent 22 months.
Why it matters: A CHIPS case can lead to a child being removed from the home and placed in foster care. If the case is not resolved, it can lead to termination of parental rights. Understanding the process and your rights is an important first step if you are involved in a CHIPS case.
Example: A school reports concerns about a child who comes to class hungry and in dirty clothes. The county investigates and files a CHIPS petition. The court orders the parent to work with a social worker, attend parenting classes, and address housing issues. The parent completes the plan over six months, and the court closes the case.
Child protection investigations, foster care placements, family court hearings