Every April, Lutheran Family and Children’s Services (LFCS) observes Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month to encourage every Missourian to help keep children safe. Prevention isn’t just about spotting the bad. It’s about strengthening families and providing the support they need so the “bad” never happens in the first place. Most people believe they would recognize abusive behavior if it were happening, but what if you were put on the spot? Would you feel comfortable observing a situation and knowing when to call and what to report?

In Missouri, the Children’s Division receives more than 154,000 hotline reports each year, according to the latest data from the Missouri Department of Social Services. Advocates say many cases of abuse or neglect may go unreported because people are unsure what qualifies as abuse or how to report concerns.

While many people have the best of intentions, it can be difficult to recognize the signs of abuse or neglect or to know when to report concerns. In response, LFCS developed a child abuse and neglect prevention checklist to help individuals better understand when and how concerning behavior should be reported.

 

Child Abuse Prevention and Reporting Checklist

√ Know the warning signs. Unexplained injuries, sudden changes in behavior, fear of certain adults, or signs of neglect such as poor hygiene or hunger can indicate a child may need help.

√ Trust your instincts. You do not need proof to make a report, only a reasonable suspicion that a child may be experiencing abuse or neglect.

√ Save the hotline number. Keep the Missouri Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline (1-800-392-3738) saved in your phone so you can act quickly if concerns arise.

√ If a child tells you something, listen calmly. Thank them for telling you, avoid asking leading questions, and report the concern so trained professionals can follow up.

√ Write down what you noticed. Record observations such as injuries, statements, or concerning behaviors to help provide clear information when making a report.

√ Remember that reporting starts the process. Hotline staff will ask basic questions about the child, the parents, and the situation to determine whether further investigation is needed.

 

The post Not Sure When to Report Child Abuse? LFCS’ Child Abuse Prevention Checklist Can Help. first appeared on Lutheran Family and Children's Services of Missouri.

Each year, thousands of children in Missouri experience abuse and neglect, facing challenges that can have lifelong consequences. At Lutheran Family and Children’s Services of Missouri, we recognize Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month in April as an opportunity to raise awareness and advocate for the safety, healing, and well-being of children and families in our communities.

The Impact of Abuse and Neglect
Child abuse and neglect doesn’t just affect children in the moment—they leave lasting scars on their physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Studies show that children who experience abuse are at greater risk for:

• Academic struggles – Behavioral issues and challenges in school
• Health problems – Increased likelihood of heart, lung, and liver disease, obesity, and diabetes
• Mental health issues – Higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide attempts
• Risky behaviors – Increased chances of substance abuse, criminal activity, and unhealthy relationships

No child should have to carry these burdens. LFCS is dedicated to breaking this cycle by providing support, education, and intervention services that protect children and strengthen families.

The post Building Brighter Futures for Missouri Children : Child Abuse & Neglect Prevention Month first appeared on Lutheran Family and Children's Services of Missouri.

• According to the Missouri Department of Social Services, there were over 58,000 reported incidents of child abuse and neglect in Missouri in 2022.
• Of the over 58,000 reported incidents,  over 77,000 children from every socio-economic background, ethnicity, religion, and gender were involved.
• Last year, child abuse and neglect was responsible for the death of 49 children in Missouri.

While these statistics show just how many kids experience abuse and neglect, LFCS understands that parents are equally in need of support. “I am a firm believer that being a parent is one of the toughest jobs in the world,” says Heather Wall, Director of Parenting Services for LFCS. “Now imagine being a parent that is facing risk factors such as a limited support system or living in poverty, then your job just became twice as hard.” Our staff doesn’t judge any parent seeking our help for a better life. Instead, we provide support and empower our clients to do the work needed to make sustainable change.

We believe it is our mission to provide high quality care for children and families in need, in an effort to stop the cycle of abuse and neglect. LFCS  social workers and case managers take a proactive and holistic approach, resulting in a lasting impact for generations to come.

Our staff addresses the risk of child abuse and neglect in several different ways. Our parenting services provide moms and dads with the skills and resources they need to overcome challenges, develop resilience, and create a safe and loving environment for their children. In 2022, over 93% of parents attending LFCS parenting education classes said they developed improved parenting skills.

Our pregnancy services support women experiencing an unplanned pregnancy with non-judgmental support and resources, whether they choose to parent or make an adoption plan. Our compassionate case workers help pregnant women gain access to prenatal care and ensure healthy birth outcomes.

Together we can strengthen families and end the cycle of abuse and neglect. With your support, we can ensure that every child and family in need will have access to these life-changing services. Please visit www.lfcsmo.org/donate to help keep kids safe across Missouri.

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Henley lights up when she sees her mom, Aubrey, walk in the playroom. Love equally reflects from Aubrey’s eyes when she lifts her two-year old daughter into her arms for this afternoon’s fifth hug. From appearances, they seem happy in this moment. Sadly, Aubrey and Henley face many struggles. Just two months ago, they arrived at a local homeless shelter with little more than the clothes on their backs. Here is how…

Eight years ago when Aubrey was ten, Aubrey’s mom walked away from parenthood. With no father to speak of and without another option, Aubrey was placed in her grandmother’s care. The placement gave her a bed to sleep in and regular meals, but Aubrey rarely felt safe. Her grandmother emotionally abused her, blaming Aubrey for her mother leaving. Eventually, she delivered weekly beatings when Aubrey seemed numb to the verbal lashings.

By 14, Aubrey was retaliating from the abuse by acting out at school and making poor choices. In her second year of high school, Aubrey discovered she was pregnant. Terrified, she hid the news from her grandmother until she could not hide it anymore. Outraged by her granddaughter’s behavior, Aubrey’s grandmother withdrew her from school and refused to let her return – even after Henley was born.

When her grandmother started to direct her abuse and manipulation toward Henley, Aubrey made the brave choice to leave. She did not want her child subjected to the cruelty she had survived. They walked out one morning and never returned.

Now working with LFCS, Aubrey knows her future will be better than her past. She is learning what it means to be a good mom for the very first time. With her case worker, she has attained permanent housing, developed a plan to finish her high school education, and begun her job search. Every day, Aubrey strives to give Henley the childhood she deserves. With help from LFCS, its happening.

Aubrey and Henley participate in the LFCS Home Visitation program. LFCS is contracted with the state to provide home visitation services with parents of children under the age of three in the St. Louis and Joplin areas. LFCS partners with FamilyForward and Good Shepherd to provide services in St Louis area. The goal of home visitation program is to provide parents with education and support that leads to the prevention of child abuse and neglect; support and encourage care that promotes positive brain development in children; and improve school readiness in children.

To be eligible for participation in the home visiting program, a family must:

• Have a child less than three years of age in the home

• Have a household income below 185% of the poverty line

• Meet one of the following:

• Referred by Children’s Division for being at-risk for physical, emotional, social or educational abuse/neglect

• A family whose child is in the custody of Children’s Division with an active plan for custody of the child to be returned to the family

• Living in a shelter or temporary housing

• Teenage parent

• Unemployed

• Employed 40 hours or less per week

• Participating in an education or job training program.

For more information, contact the LFCS Family Services intake line 314-854-5704 or email nurturingnetworkreferral@ccstl.org.

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April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. At LFCS, we want to talk about this public health issue and what we can do to address it.

Here are just a few of the staggering statistics:

• One in 4 children experience some form of child abuse or neglect in their lifetimes.
• Thirty-two Missouri children died from abuse or neglect in 2017, 70% of whom were two years old or younger.
• Parents, stepparents or other primary caretakers account for the majority of perpetrators in child abuse and neglect cases.
• Poverty, on-going community violence, and weak connections between neighbors are related to a higher risk for child abuse and neglect
• The estimated average lifetime cost per victim of nonfatal child abuse and neglect was $210,012
• The total lifetime economic burden resulting from new cases of fatal and nonfatal child abuse and neglect is $124 billion

LFCS provides several areas of support to prevent child abuse and neglect as well as manages the social and behavioral ramifications of cases that were not prevented. We do so through our two pillars of service: Foster Care and Family Services & Behavioral Health and Community Prevention Services.

Foster Care and Family Services programs provide education to parents and care for children to decrease the risk of child abuse or neglect. Services include:

• Respite Foster Care
• Foster Care Case Management
• Pregnancy and Parenting Services
• Home Visitation

Behavioral Health and Community Prevention Services programs are available in 15 offices statewide on a sliding fee scale, as well as 60 schools in eight Districts across the St. Louis area. Services include:

• Counseling
• Child Psychiatry
• STEP-UP, a youth development program

If you find yourself in need of any of the above services, please contact LFCS. Together we can save children and families in Missouri.

April 6, 2018 is Wear Blue Day. Show your support and help spread awareness by wearing blue. Take a photo and share it on the social media with #GreatChildhoods and tag @LFCSMO.

The post Child Abuse Prevention Month 2018 first appeared on Lutheran Family and Children's Services of Missouri.

During this month and throughout the year, Lutheran Family and Children’s Services (LFCS) is dedicated to supporting families and reducing the risk of child abuse and neglect. LFCS is also dedicated to ensuring that all our policies, whether they are at the local, state, or federal level, continue to support our children and promote strong families.

To learn more about federal policies that help support and protect children here in Missouri and across the country, visit the Child Abuse Prevention Month Website sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Administration for Children & Families, the Children’s Bureau, and Child Welfare Information Gateway – they have designed an excellent timeline outlining significant moments in child abuse prevention in the United States

It is wonderful to look back and see the important role of advocates in helping shape our countries’ programs and priorities, and even more wonderful to know that we still have strong advocates here at LFCS to look out for kids in the decades to come.

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