Through these programs and services, Child Welfare Services works to protect children and preserve families from abuse and neglect.

• Protective Services - investigates reports of child abuse and neglect to ensure the safety of children and provides services to help families stay together. To report child abuse and neglect, call the 24-hour report line at 240-777-4417.

• In-Home Services - provides home-based services to families with children at risk of out-of-home placement. Services include Counseling, parenting classes, other family services and resource development.

• Foster Care - provides case management and plans permanent living situations for children who have been placed in foster care. Recruitment, training, supervision and support are provided for foster parents. If you are a Montgomery County resident interested in becoming a foster parent, call 240-777-1664.

• Adoption - prepares children who are under guardianship of the department for permanent placement with adoptive families. In addition, if you are an adult who was adopted as a child and are seeking background information about your adoption, call 240-777-1664.

• Community Education - provides outreach to educate community groups on child welfare and strives to reduce the incidence of child abuse and neglect through educational programs on positive parenting, and child abuse and neglect prevention. If you would like information about the community education program on child abuse and neglect, call 240-777-1083.

 View the 2009 Annual Report (PDF Form)