Human Services

The Freeborn County Department of Human Services is committed to serving those who need assistance to meet basic needs, promoting self-sufficiency, protecting our most vulnerable populations, and preserving families within our communities.

Our office is open to the public from 8:00 – 5:00 Monday through Friday.

Appointments are encouraged, as many services are available remotely or in-person. Please call your worker directly or you may call our office at 507-377-5400 if you have questions about your financial, child support, or social services case.

What's Happening?

We understand there may be questions about the pause of Child Care Assistance funding in Minnesota. The Minnesota Department of Children, Youth & Families has provided the following guidance: 

• All local program processes for Child Care Assistance should continue as normal. This includes but is not limited to applications for CCAP, provider and client documentation and reporting requirements, billing and processing of payments.   
• When DCYF (or Freeborn County) representatives conduct onsite licensing or program oversight visits, they will identify themselves by name and agency, state the purpose of the visits and present official agency identification. 

Safety and Protection

To make a Child Protection Report, please call 507-377-5400 and ask to speak with Child Protection Intake. 

To make an Adult Protection Report, please call: 1-844-880-1574

Crime Victims Crisis Center: Call 507-377-5460 

Economic Assistance

To apply for CASH, FOOD, EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE or CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE, please visit MNbenefits. Please refer to the Financial Assistance Programs page for additional information on applying for public assistance programs.

The Department of Human Services has been encouraging people experiencing hunger to find out if they are eligible for SNAP. Information about SNAP and other hunger resources is collected on the DHS food emergency webpage. Food help is also available through the Minnesota Food HelpLine, 1-888-711-1151 or www.mnfoodhelpline.org. Freeborn County Department of Human Services continues to accept and process applications during the Federal Public Health Emergency.

To apply for Health Care, please visit: https://www.mnsure.org/ or by calling 855-366-7873.

*If you are someone who is elderly, disabled or in a nursing home, you or someone authorized to act on your behalf should call the office at 507-377-5400 so a health care application can be mailed to you.

Verifications and documents for eligibility purposes can be dropped off in the DROP BOX outside of the Freeborn County Department of Human Services or sent as an email attachment to: im.dhs@co.freeborn.mn.us

Mental Health Center

To make an appointment of to speak with someone in the Mental Health Center, please contact our office at: 507-377-5400.

To speak with someone about Substance Use Disorder Services or Behavioral Health Fund eligibility, please call our office at: 507-377-5400.

Additional Support, Information, and Resources

EMERGENCY: 911

South Central Warm Line / Crisis Line: 1-877-399-3040 www.sccbi.info

National Alliance for Mental Health: 1-888-626-4435 www.namimn.org

Peer Support Connection Warmline
Peer-to-peer telephone support that’s safe and supportive

Call or text 844-739-6369 between 5 p.m. and 9 a.m.

The National Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

CRISIS (988) to talk to professionals who can help.

Minnesota Farm and Rural Helpline: Call 833-600-2670
A service of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture https://www.mda.state.mn.us/about/mnfarmerstress

Review the following Food Security Resources:  Food Security Resources 10.2025 (PDF)

Mission Statement

The mission of Freeborn County Department of Human Services is to meet basic needs, promote self-sufficiency, assist and protect vulnerable persons and preserve families through the efficient and cost effective delivery of both statutorily required and other services authorized by the County Board.