ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI – Difficult economic times can lead to increased child abuse and neglect, even child deaths, according to DiAnne Mueller, CEO of Saint Louis Crisis Nursery, which encourages people to be conscious of the challenges that families face and to take action during April, Child Abuse Prevention Month.

A free Child Abuse Prevention Kit with helpline numbers, statistics, parenting tip sheets and child abuse prevention tips is available at www.crisisnurserykids.org.

"Child Abuse Prevention Month reminds the public that everyone needs to be committed to the safety of the children in our communities,” said Crisis Nursery CEO DiAnne Mueller. 
“We understand that parenting is a challenge even in the best of times. Our mission is to save babies’ lives, keep kids safe and build strong families, and every year we see a greater need for our services, as families cope with difficult times.”

During 2011, the Crisis Nursery provided:
• Safe haven for 7,275 children at risk of abuse
• A 24-Hour Helpline serving 6,231 families experiencing a crisis
• 2,410 Community Outreach Visits with families
• 35,230 hours volunteered at the five Crisis Nursery locations and two outreach centers

Crisis Nursery outcomes:
• 99% of children cared for at the Crisis Nursery were not abused;
• 99% of children whose families participate in Crisis Nursery services remain in their natural family homes.

The Saint Louis Crisis Nursery, celebrating its 25th year, is committed to preventing child abuse and neglect by offering real help and real hope to families in crisis. The Crisis Nursery is an independent, not-for-profit agency providing short-term, safe havens for more than 7,200 children a year, birth through age 12, whose families are faced with an emergency or crisis. The Crisis Nursery provides care 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at five sites, serving families throughout the greater St. Louis, St. Charles, Southern Illinois and surrounding regions. Over the past 25 years, the Crisis Nursery has cared for more than 68,000 children, and provided support and counseling to more than 84,500 families. For details, call (314) 292-5770 or visit www.crisisnurserykids.org.

For the Saint Louis Crisis Nursery 24-hour helpline, call 314-768-3201 or 314-338-2200. In St. Charles County, call (636) 947-0600.

Media Contact
Mary Schanuel
[email protected]
314-266-7035