Child Advocacy

The Child Advocacy team at Children’s Nebraska provides treatment and support to make sure every child can thrive. Children’s providers work closely with the child's caregivers, parents, primary care physicians and other adults in a child’s life to help them meet their medical, physical and psychosocial needs. Our team specializes in distinguishing between accidental injuries, medical conditions and abuse or neglect and is here to help.

We address a range of conditions that impact a child’s ability to thrive, offering comprehensive care for various challenges. Below, we outline some of the key conditions we treat to ensure every child receives the support they need.

Get to know our Child Advocacy team. This team includes a pediatricians, advanced practice providers, nurses, social workers, dietitians and more who specialize in cases of childhood abuse or neglect. They are dedicated to helping children receive the care that they need and deserve.

If you are looking for Child Advocacy support, visit us at these locations.

Know the Signs of Abuse or Neglect

It’s not always easy to spot child abuse or neglect but knowing what to look for can make it a little bit easier. Physical and behavioral signs and symptoms that a child may be abused or neglected include:

• Attempts to run away from home

• Bedwetting in a child who has already been potty-trained

• Big appetite or stealing food

• Inability to gain weight (especially in infants)

• Lack of weather-appropriate clothing

• Pain or bleeding

• Poor hygiene

• Poor performance in school

• Scared of adults, parents or going home

• Sudden or dramatic weight loss

• Unexplained injuries (burns, cuts, fractures, bruises or abdominal or head injuries)

• Withdrawing from social settings

How to Report Abuse or Neglect

If you meet a child who you suspect may be abused or neglected, it’s important to know the proper steps to take to protect them. You do not need to be certain that abuse or neglect has taken place to report it — you just need a suspicion. There are several ways to report abuse or neglect:

• If the child is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1.

• Call the local child abuse hotline (Nebraska Child Protective Services Hotline:

  800.652.1999; Iowa Department of Human Services Hotline: 800.362.2178).

• Call your local police department.

When reporting suspected abuse or neglect, it is helpful to know:

• Address of the people involved

• Name of the people involved

• Phone numbers of the people involved

• Age and birthdate of the child

• The child’s school

If you suspect abuse, follow your instincts and report your suspicions. Keep in mind that reporting suspected abuse or neglect does not put you at risk and that you can make a report anonymously.

Continue reporting suspected cases, even if a previous report didn’t meet the criteria for abuse and neglect. Multiple reports over time can establish a pattern, which can lead to further investigation — and getting a child the help they need.

Children’s Advocacy team meets every week to review reports of abuse and neglect. For more information about the reporting process, call Children’s Advocacy team at 402.955.6250 or Children’s Social Work department at 402.955.5418.