If you suspect a possible child abuse, you should contact your local branch of the Family Protection Department and discuss with them the situation. You should inform the FDP the name of the child, the address of the child and the suspected incident. Do not make judgments about the parent or the child, just inform them of what you suspect and give all the details you have and think will be useful in investigating the case.

The State of Illinois and the St. Clair County State's Attorney's Office understand that this is a very serious problem. Child Abuse can be physical, emotional, verbal, or sexual. An example of physical abuse is injuring a child on purpose, causing cuts, welts, or bruises. Examples of emotional abuse include over-controlling, intimidation, giving conditional love, and placing excessive or unrealistic demands on a child.

You have a moral, and in some cases, a legal responsibility to see that child abuse is reported to the people who can help. By law, you cannot be prosecuted for doing so in good faith. First, be sure you know the facts....then act. BE A FRIEND: Often an abusive parent needs someone to talk to for advice and support. Do your best to offer a sympathetic ear and to suggest services (social, medical, etc.) that can help.

It is repeated mistreatment or neglect of a child by parent(s) or other guardian resulting in injury or harm. Under California Law, child abuse is a crime. Children need protection because they are vulnerable and often unable to speak for themselves. The California Child Abuse Reporting Law, along with other state laws, provides the legal basis for action to protect children and allow intervention by public agencies if a child is maltreated.

The Nursery is mandated to report any suspected abuse or neglect to Hennepin County Community Based First Response.

Each one of us has a responsibility to keep vulnerable elders safe from harm. The laws in most states require helping professions in the front lines -- such as doctors and home health providers -- to report suspected abuse or neglect. These professionals are called mandated reporters. Under the laws of eight states, "any person" is required to report a suspicion of mistreatment. If the danger is not immediate, but you suspect that abuse has occurred or is occurring, please tell someone.

The following link will connect you with the Department of Human Services, which provides a 24-hour hot line, regarding the abuse of minors (under the age of 18) www.state.me.us/dhs/bcfs/abuse.htm. If the suspected abuse involves an adult (age 18 and older), the following link will provide with a list of statewide service numbers, www.state.me.us/dhs/phone1.htm.

Don't wait--talk to your doctor about getting child screened for autism. New research shows that children as young as one may exhibit signs of autism, so recognizing early signs and knowing developmental milestones is important. Early intervention is key.

It is important that each child know their keypad number (also known as universal pin) is confidential and should never be shared with friends. The account is for the use of the named student ONLY, multiple students, siblings, parents, etc. may not use the student account to purchase meals. If you feel someone is making unauthorized purchases or using your student's account, please contact our office immediately at 221-2067.

You can call our 24-hour emergency contact line at (867) 873-1929. All calls are kept confidential. Our primary focus is the safety of a child, and our intake and investigation team is very experienced at assessing potential risks.

Children should tell a person they can trust, such as a parent, teacher, relative or friend, if they are being abused, even if they are worried about what might happen next.

PHYSICAL: Shaking, beating, burning, failure to provide necessities of life (e.g., adequate food, clothing, shelter, medical care). A child is physically injured by other than accidental means. A child is being subjected to willful cruelty or unjustifiable punishment. Any kind of contact with a child could be considered a sexual act. It will depend on the intent of the person making the contact.

involving one or both parents Tragically, though, it most often happens at home and usually the abuser is known to the child. Generally, the abuser is a caretaker. A caretaker can be a parent, stepparent, relative or baby-sitter.

Child abuse happens often. It is estimated that as many as a million cases of abuse and neglect happen each year. Its effects are severe: Often, abused children become teenagers/adults who act in criminal and other antisocial violent behavior. Even Death: Parents who habitually abuse their children may very well end up killing them. Hundreds of such cases happen every year in the United States.

REPEATED INJURIES: Bruises, welts, burns. Parents may seem unconcerned, deny that anything is wrong, or give unlikely explanations for the injuries. NEGLECTED APPEARANCE:Children often are badly nourished, inadequately clothed, are left alone or are wandering at all hours, always seem as if nobody cares. (Sometimes, though, over-neatness may be a sign of abuse.) DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR: Very aggressive, negative behavior constantly repeated can signal a desperate need for attention and help.

All children have the right to grow up in a safe environment. Child abuse, in all its forms, has a more lasting and negative effect on children, families and the whole community than most people realize. its worst, its destructive impact haunts its victim throughout life and prevents the child from becoming a productive adult. Frequently, parents who were mistreated as children will mistreat their own children.

There are several things you can do about it. Learn more about child abuse and how it is treated. Don't ignore child abuse, REPORT IT! Be supportive and helpful to families having problems. If you or your family need help coping with children, ask for it. Social service agencies are there to help you. To report child abuse or neglect in Los Angeles County, call the Child Abuse Hot Line at 1-800-540-4000 (California only). From outside California, call (213) 639-4500.