We All Play an Important Role
Anything you do to support kids and parents can help reduce the stress that often leads to abuse and neglect:

• Be a friend to parents you know. Ask how their children are doing. Draw on your own experiences to provide reassurance and support. If a parent seems to be struggling, offer to baby-sit or run errands, or just lend a friendly ear. Show you understand.
• Talk to your neighbors about looking out for one another's children. Encourage a supportive spirit among parents in your apartment building or on your block. Show that you are involved.
• Give your used clothing, furniture and toys to another family. This can help relieve the financial stress that parents sometimes take out on their kids.
• Be a nurturing parent. Children need to know that they are special, loved and capable of following their dreams.
• Help a friend, neighbor or relative. Being a parent is not easy. Offer to take care of the children, so the parents can rest or spend time together.
• Help yourself. When the big and little problems of your everyday life pile up to the point you feel overwhelmed and out of control, take time out. Don’t take it out on your child.
• If your baby cries… A crying baby can be frustrating. Learn what to do if your baby won’t stop crying. Never shake a baby. Shaking a child may result in severe injury or death.
• Monitor your child’s television, video viewing and computer usage.
• Report suspected abuse or neglect. If you have reason to believe a child has been or may be harmed, make a report to Clark County Family and Children Services. Learn how to report suspected abuse.