Families face difficult challenges and may need specific resources, information, or assistance to deal with problematic personal situations. The following questions address common child welfare issues that families face.Inclusion on this list is for information purposes and does not constitute an endorsement by Child Welfare Information Gateway or the Children's Bureau.
How do I report suspected child abuse or neglect?
Find your State's child protective services reporting number or call the Childhelp National Child Abuse hotline—available 24 hours a day/7 days a week—at 1.800.4.A.CHILD (1.800.422.4453) to speak with a trained counselor.
For more information, visit How to Report Child Abuse or Neglect.
To report child pornography and online child exploitation, contact:
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s CyberTipline
1.800.THE.LOST (1.800.843.5678)
CyberTipline is the nation’s centralized reporting system to report suspected online enticement of children for sexual acts, extrafamilial child sexual molestation, child pornography, child sex trafficking, and more.
Contact your State Independent Living and Education Training Voucher Coordinators for State specific information.
Use the Housing and Urban Development Resource Locator to quickly connect with key contacts in your State/area and/or find a HUD-participating agency by calling 1-800-569-4287 or connecting with HUD online.
Call the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.HOPE) or chat online for confidential crisis support.
Call or text the National Maternal Health Hotline 1-833-9-HELP4MOMS (1-833-943-5746), a free, confidential, 24/7 service to connect with professional counselors (in English and Spanish) before, during, and after pregnancy.
Visit our Client Rights page for general information about the grievance process and how to file a complaint.
The American Bar Association provides legal information, including State-specific services, legal hotlines, court resources, and more.
The Child Find of America – Parent Help program (1.800.716.3468) offers free, confidential, telephone-based services to parents in conflict.
For questions about child support, contact your local Child Support Agency.
You may access Contact Information for State and Tribal Child Support Agencies on the Office of Child Support Enforcement website.
Text HOME to 741741 to speak with a crisis counselor at the Crisis Text Line.
Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1.800.799.SAFE (7233). If you are unable to speak freely, text LOVEIS to 1.866.331.9474.
211.org offers information about local resources in 180 languages. Calls are confidential, and service professionals are available 24/7.
Call the National Parent Helpline at 1.855.4.A.PARENT (1.855.427.2736) to speak with a trained National Parent Helpline advocate who can listen to you, offer emotional support, and build on your parenting strengths.
Contact the ARCH National Respite Locator Service at 1.800.677.1116 (8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday).
Call the National Runaway Safeline at 1.800.786.2929 (live chat, emails, forum) or text 66008 for free, confidential services and support. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Explore Single Mothers Grants for an overview of financial assistance programs that help single mothers.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration collects information on thousands of State-licensed providers who specialize in treating substance use disorders, addiction, and mental illness.
Contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 for free and confidential support for people in distress as well as prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Refer to Information Gateway’s State Kinship Care Contacts and Programs to access contact information for State officials and kinship care-specific services offered by State child welfare departments.
Consider joining the Adoptive & Foster Parents in Postpartumat Postpartum Support International (PSI), an online peer-to-peer support group for any adoptive or foster parent with a child from birth to three years old, to talk through feelings, situations, and expectations and gain constructive and relevant information. You may also call the PSI hotline 1-800-944-4773 for details.