Be the Parent Your Child Needs

What is Neglect?

Neglect is the failure or refusal of a parent or caregiver to provide the basic, age-appropriate needs for a child. Child protection referrals regarding neglect most frequently involve physical and medical neglect.

1. Physical Neglect — The most common type of neglect is physical neglect. It happens in families whose parents or caregivers are not providing for a child's basic needs such as food, safety, clothing, shelter, etc. Physical neglect includes lack of supervision and not adequately providing for the child's safety and emotional needs. Physical neglect can harm a child’s physical and mental development by causing malnutrition, serious illnesses, or a lifetime of low self-esteem.
2.  Medical Neglect — This form of neglect occurs when appropriate health care is not provided for a child, although the caregiver is financially able to do so. Poor overall health can result from medical neglect.

Signs of a Neglected Child

• Lack of supervision
• Unmet medical needs
• The child or their clothing is extremely dirty
• Not dressed for the weather
• Complaints of hunger and child has lost weight
• Child falls asleep in class
• Frequent school absences or tardiness
• Reports that no caregiver is at home

Neglect Risk Factors

There is a difference between a caregiver's inability to provide the needed care due to illness, cultural beliefs, or lack of money, and their failure or refusal to provide care. In some cases, poverty may limit a caregiver's ability to provide necessities for the child, but help is available. The following are caregiver risk factors for neglect:

• Drug and alcohol abuse;
• Depression;
• Bad relationships;
• Too busy to pay attention;
• Immaturity;
• Lack of parenting skills;
• Unrealistic expectations about child's behaviors, experiences, and abilities;
• Own negative childhood; and 
• Lack of support from friends and family.

The Link Between Substance Abuse and Neglect

Substance abuse by parents plays a major part in child protection referrals. In fact, studies show that substance abuse negatively affects the ability of parents to love and care for their child. It may cause a parent to be less responsible to their child’s needs. Substance abuse may shorten the parent’s patience or cause the parent to use poor judgement. Often times, parents use money for alcohol or drugs instead of food, clothing, and other basic needs. A child of substance abusing parents can be at risk of harm because his/her parents are manufacturing, selling, or using drugs.

Steps to Keep Your Child Safe

• To avoid choking, keep all small objects out of reach of young children.
• Wash dishes and properly store food to avoid food poisoning and illness.
• Make sure electrical and curtain cords are out of a young child’s reach.
• Dispose of dirty diapers properly and in a timely manner.
• Put garbage in containers, away from young children.
• If pets are kept in the house, clean up after them.
• Never leave young children alone at home, or in the car.
• Always know where your children are and who they are with.
• Never leave young children alone in a tub, not even for a second.
• Test water temperature before bathing child.
• Keep matches, medications, and cleaning supplies out of reach of young children.
• Cover all electrical outlets at home.
• Keep guns and knives in a safe place, away from children.
• Turn the handles of pots on a stove in toward the stove so that they are not sticking out where a young child can grab them.

Common Sense Steps for Raising a Happy Child

• Express love and affection for your child.
• Express personal concern for your child's health.
• Supply necessary food, clothing, and medical care.
• Provide an adequate home.
• Encourage and support your child in school.
• Set rules and be consistent in helping your child keep them.
• Model correct behavior. Show your child the "right way" to behave or do a chore.
• Discipline with short time-outs.
• Learn ways to discipline your child without using physical force.
• When anger arises in you or your child, take five minutes to cool down and find a solution.
• Never strike in anger.
• When you can't stop feeling angry or upset, call someone and talk out your frustration.
• Make sure people who watch your child know how to handle their anger safely and appropriately.
• Discuss and approve acceptable discipline with your child’s caregiver.

Shaking can cause the brain to slam against the inside of the skull and bleed. Shaken Baby Syndrome can result in one or more of the following:

• Death;
• Bruising, swelling, and bleeding of the brain;
• Seizures;
• Permanent, severe brain damage;
• Mental retardation; and
• Neck and spine injuries

Tell everyone who cares for your baby that it is never okay to shake a baby or young child. This includes the baby's brothers, sisters, babysitters, child care providers, other family members, and friends.

 Reporting Child Neglect

Idaho law says that any person who has reason to believe that a child is being neglected must report this to their local law enforcement agency or the Department of Health and Welfare within 24 hours. Failure to report suspected neglect is against the law.

For more information, call your local Health and Welfare office or contact the 2-1-1 Idaho CareLine at 1-800-926-2588 or 1-208-332-7205 (TDD).