Resources - Collective Action for Children

Seeking Help is a Beacon of Strength

Raising a child is challenging, but many resources exist in our communities to help families. Collective Action for Children is a coalition of child-serving organizations throughout the Kansas City area. Learn more about the many ways our member agencies support families by exploring our member directory.

Crisis Support

If you or someone you know is in a mental health crisis, please call or text 988 or navigate to 988lifeline.org for immediate help available 24/7.

Children’s Division Prevention Services

The Missouri Children’s Division has a prevention team specifically focused on helping children and their caregivers access services and support to help keep families together. Prevention services are available at no cost and include mental health treatment services, substance use disorder prevention and treatment services and in-home family support services.

Additional Support for Families

United Way’s 211 resource is available to connect to additional resources for housing, mental health, food assistance, health care and more. Find help by calling 211 or navigating to 211.org.

What is child abuse or neglect?

The Child Welfare Information Gateway provides the following definitions:

Physical Abuse

Abuse means any physical injury inflicted on a child by other than accidental means by those responsible for the child’s care, custody, and control.

Neglect

Neglect means failure to provide, by those responsible for the care, custody, and control of the child, proper or necessary support; education as required by law; nutrition; or medical, surgical, or any other care necessary for the child’s well-being.

Sexual Abuse/Exploitation

The term ‘abuse’ includes sexual abuse. Victims of neglect also shall include any victims of sex trafficking or severe forms of trafficking, as those terms are defined in Federal law.

Emotional Abuse

The term ‘abuse’ includes emotional abuse inflicted on a child by those responsible for the child’s care, custody, and control.

The Missouri Department of Social Services provides the following definitions:

Abuse

“Abuse” as any physical injury, sexual abuse, or emotional abuse inflicted on a child other than by accidental means by those responsible for the child’s care, custody, and control, except that discipline including spanking, administered in a reasonable manner, shall not be construed to be abuse.

Neglect

“Neglect” as failure to provide, by those responsible for the care, custody, and control of the child, the proper or necessary support, education as required by law, nutrition or medical, surgical, or any other care necessary for the child’s well-being.

How do I report suspected child abuse or neglect?

If you suspect that a child is not in a safe situation, please call a child abuse hotline to speak with a professional crisis counselor that can offer crisis intervention, information and referrals to emergency, social service and support resources.

Missouri Hotline

Kansas Hotline

National Hotline

If you feel unsure about what qualifies as child abuse or neglect or what signs to be aware of, check out this free mandated reporter training.

Additional Resources

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network

Child Welfare Information Gateway

Children’s Bureau: An Office of the Administration for Children and Families

U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention

Sesame Street in Communities: Traumatic Experiences, including a webinar series featuring a Collective member agency, The Children’s Place, featured in a two-part webinar titled “Traumatic Experiences: First Steps to Hope” (Part 1 and Part 2)