Keeping Children Safe and Assisting Families

Families are the foundation of any society and for over a century, Richland County Children Services has enriched lives and strengthened families. Our mission is to assure the safety, well-being and permanency of children at risk of abuse and neglect. Our goal is to protect the family unit while establishing a safe environment for every child.

Richland County Children Services is a public child welfare agency charged with the legal responsibility to assess child abuse and neglect within the county. We operate under federal and state laws and mandates, but we are led by a board of local citizens appointed by the Richland County Commissioners. Our leaders and staff are members of the community and we understand the opportunities and challenges faced by local families.

How to Report Abuse

We can’t help children and families unless we know there is a problem. Reporting suspected abuse or neglect or seeking our assistance if your family is in need will begin our efforts and initiate the services to protect children and assist families.

If you suspect abuse or neglect, please don’t hesitate to contact us. All calls are confidential. Your efforts can improve the life and wellbeing of a child. To report suspected abuse or neglect, please call us 24-hours-a-day, seven days a week at 419-774-4100.

Partnering with the Richland County Community

Financed By Helping Hands

Foster Care & Adoption Services

Get Involved with Us

Our funding comes from a variety of sources – federal, state and local. Local taxpayers support our work through two 1-mill property tax levies.

We deeply appreciate the community confidence local funding represents and use it to provide the best possible protection and assistance to Richland County children and families.

We believe that the best place for the child is in his or her home. When that is not possible, we try to place children with family or others with whom the child had a prior relationship, while working hard to return the child home as quickly as possible.

We also provide foster care and adoption services when those efforts are needed.

To learn more about our agency, review the site links or call Richland County Children Services at

419-774-4100 or (TTY) 419-774-4156.

Join Our Team!

Richland County Children Services (RCCS) is looking for child welfare caseworkers who want to help families keep children safe from abuse and neglect, and provide children a place of love, hope and safety.

RCCS believes Safe Children Today Builds Strong Families Tomorrow. Visit the employment page for more information.

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