Danger now? Call 911Missing child? Call 1-800-THE-LOST

Decision chains

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How to read this map, and more phone lines

How to read this map

Each state has six parts: how a report comes in, how the state decides, what it does, how a case ends, where things can go wrong, and who checks the work. Pick your state, then pick a part. Each step shows the law it comes from, with a link to read it yourself. This map explains the law. It is not legal advice.

Need help right now? These phone lines are real people, not AI.

  • Is a child in danger right now? Call 911.
  • Do you know something about a missing child? Call 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678). Someone answers day and night.
  • Pick your state to see its own line.

Get help for a child · Back to the map · Short videos

Short videos

See how it works

How child welfare works · 52 seconds

Get help

Worried about a child who is not missing?

Report abuse or neglect

In danger right now? Call 911.

Childhelp: 1-800-422-4453, call, text or chat, 24/7. It is NOT a reporting line. Its counselors help you work out how and where to report.

Pick your state to see its own line.

Is a child missing?

  • Is a child in danger right now? Call 911.
  • Do you know something about a missing child? Call 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678). Someone answers day and night.
  • Pick your state to see its own line.

What to do if a child is missing