GAZELLE MAGAZINE APRIL 2018 | Page 92

WELLNESS & WELL-BEING National Child Abuse Prevention Month I 90 n 2012, state and local Child Protective Services in the United States received an estimated 3.4 million referrals of children being abused or neglected. CPS estimated that 686,000 children were victims of maltreatment, which included 78 percent who were victims of neglect; 18 percent suffered physical abuse; 9 percent were sexually abused; and 11 percent were victims of other types of ill treatment, including emotional and threatened abuse, parent’s drug or alcohol abuse, or lack of supervision. April is the nationally recognized month for increasing awareness of this important problem. Following is a list of organizations that can help in many ways, from supporting families to prevention programs, parenting, crisis intervention and education. • Saint Louis Crisis Nursery is committed to the prevention of child abuse and neglect, and provides emergency intervention, respite care and support to families in crisis. Centene Center, 1928 Gravois Road, St. Louis, MO 63104 (314) 338-2200, crisisnurserykids.com, 24-hour helpline (314) 768-3201 • Epworth Children and Family Services helps youth and families overcome emotional and behavioral challenges caused by abuse or neglect. 6816 Washington Ave., St. Louis, MO 63130 (314) 727-6294, epworth.org • Voices for Children’s team of child advocacy attorneys, social workers and court-appointed special advocates work on behalf of St. Louis’ abused and neglected children and youth. 920 N. Vandeventer Ave., St. Louis, MO 63108 (314) 552-2352, voices-stl.org • Child Protection Program at St. Louis Children’s Hospital provides inpatient child abuse consultations, referrals, care coordination and education. One Children’s Place, St. Louis, MO 63110 (314) 454-2879, stlouischildrens.org • Childhelp is a national nonprofit dedicated to meeting the needs of abused, neglected and at-risk children. The hotline is staffed 24/7. (800) 422-4453, childhelp.org/pages/hotline-home • Children’s Advocacy Services of Greater St Louis provides trauma-focused services to youth, families and the community. University of Missouri-St. Louis, One University Blvd., Weinman Building, St. Louis, MO 63121 (314) 516- 6798, stlouiscac.org CHILD ABUSE HOTLINES: GAZELLE Child abuse or neglect can be reported 24/7. MISSOURI: Missouri Children’s Division Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline Unit. If calling from Missouri - (800) 392-3738, calling from outside Missouri - (573) 751-3448, text telephone – (800) 669-8689, dss.mo.gov/cd/ can.htm ILLINOIS: Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Child Abuse Hotline. (800) 252-2873, state.il.us/dcfs/child/index.shtml