Child Abuse
Child abuse is the mistreatment of a child by his/her parent or guardian. Child abuse is violence that may be physical, emotional, sexual or economic. Victims of or witnesses to a child abuse crime in progress can get immediate deputy response by dialing 911. Victims of abuse may get assistance with ongoing situations by contacting the Lakewood Sheriff’s Station at (562) 866-9061. Long term counseling, crisis intervention, and referral services are available through the child abuse hotline by calling (800) 540-4000. Again, if it’s an emergency, call 911 immediately.
Child Protection Services
Protective services to children consists of the identification, receipt and investigation of complaints of child abuse and neglect for children under the age of 18. An immediate response to a complaint of child abuse or neglect is available on a 24 hour a day basis through the Lakewood Sheriff’s station by calling (562) 866-9061. A deputy will be dispatched to investigate the situation and determine if the Department of Children and Family Services needs to be contacted for additional investigation. An abused or neglected child is one under the age of 18 whose parent or guardian causes or threatens to cause a non-accidental physical or mental injury, causes a high risk of death, disfigurement or impairment of bodily or mental function, fails to provide the care, guidance and protection the child requires for healthy growth an d development, or commits or allows to be committed any act of sexual exploitation or any sexual act in violation of the law. Any person has the right to make a complaint of suspected abuse or neglect anonymously. When the complainant is known to the agency every effort will be made to keep his identity confidential. However, the complainant’s anonymity cannot be assured if the case is brought into court. The goal of the department of children and family services in child protection cases is to protect the child from harm. A variety of services is provided to the child, the family, and the abuser or neglector to prevent the situation from reoccurring.
Department of Social Services
The County of Los Angeles Department of Social Services is located at 3000 W. 6th Street in Los Angeles. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday - Friday. Some of the available financial assistant programs include Cal Works, the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids, general relief and food and emergency assistance. Other available social service programs include Adult Protective Services, Employment Services and Home Based Care services. Housekeeping services are available to eligible recipients. For further information regarding any of these programs please call the Department of Social Services at (887) 481-1044.
Drug and Alcohol Programs
Drug and Alcohol programs have become a serious threat to the health of many Americans and their families. There are many good programs offered for persons suffering from abuse or family members coping with the substance abuser. There are crises hotlines, hospital clinics and other programs such as the Los Angeles County Alcohol and Drug Program to help someone through drug and alcohol problems. The phone number to the LACA and DP is (800) 564-6600. Private hospitals and clinics and crisis hotline can be found in the yellow pages of your local phone directory and online.
Referrals for Problem Adolescents
The Consolidated Youth Services Network Inc., which includes the Cerritos Corridor Juvenile Diversion Project and the Southeast Early Diversion Project, is a non-profit, tax-exempt, community based organization founded in 1976 for the purpose of coordinated pro-dramatic diversion services for youth under the age of 18 years. These services are provided free of charge and specifically target low-income and poverty level youth whose behavior has placed them at risk of becoming delinquent and subsequently at risk of being involved with the juvenile justice system. CYSN offers assistance for a variety of youth problems including alcohol or drugs, problem behavior and school drop out. If you have a teenager with any of these problems, call CYSN at (562) 630-1445. They are located at 15300 Downey Avenue in Paramount.
Spouse Abuse
Spousal abuse is the mistreatment of a man or woman by his or her mate. Spousal abuse is violence that may be physical, emotional, sexual or economic. If you need immediate response by a sheriff’s deputy, call 911 now.
The battered women’s shelter offers abused women and their children temporary emergency shelter. The shelter operates a 24-hour hotline for women in crisis and requires personal contact with the abuse victim prior to admission. The hotline number is (562) 402-4888.
The Department of Social Service Central help line provides financial assistance and services to spouse abuse victims meeting other program eligibility criteria. For further information call (877) 481-1044.
Additional long term council or crisis intervention programs including local service agencies, shelters for battered women, abuse hotline or rape crisis centers, local women’s groups, victim or witness programs or religious organizations may be found and contacted by looking through he local yellow pages.
Welfare Fraud
Public assistance recipients are required to provide the Division of Social Services with accurate information about their living situations and finances. Failure to provide information or report changes could result in the commission of welfare fraud. Instances of welfare fraud should be reported to the Division of Social Services Fraud through their 24-hour hotline number at the WeTip National Headquarters. The number is (800) 873-7283. The Division of Social Services offices are located at 1362 W. Imperial Hwy. in Los Angeles and their phone number is (323) 777-4959.
Public Service Agencies
Non-City Services and Utilities
Phone Number List
Hospitals
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