At the Los Angeles County Child Protection Hotline headquarters in downtown Los Angeles, social workers answer more than 160,000 calls each year.

Jennie Feria, deputy director of the county Department of Children and Families, tells the I-Team that calls that previously ended when it was determined there was no need for a child abuse or neglect investigation are now still possible.

“We will ask questions, investigate the situation and if there is no suspicion of abuse or neglect, we will definitely connect those affected to the appropriate services through the Hotline-to-Helpline program,” Feria said.

Hotline to Helpline was founded in 2018 and is continuously expanding its reach.

Data the I-Team received from the department shows an increase in these referrals, which are calls that do not meet child abuse and neglect standards but are eligible for services in the community.

From January to May 2024, more than 3,141 calls were received for the helpline and 1,228 families availed the services, according to data received from the department.

“An example might be a child shows up at school hungry and it might impact their academic performance. The teacher calls because they’re a little worried. Maybe the mom is working three jobs to put food on the table,” Feria said.

Para Los Niños is an organization that has been fielding calls referred by the department through the Hotline-to-Helpline program.

“It can be something as simple as, ‘We need concrete support,'” says Jimmy Urizar, PLN’s director of family services. “‘Can you help me find housing that will help me pay my electric bill? Can you help me get diapers?’ Sometimes it can be, ‘Can you help me find an apartment? Can you help me pay my rent,'” Urizar says.

According to DCFS, families seeking support or resources should call 211 to be connected to assistance in their community.

Suspected cases of abuse or neglect can be reported 24 hours a day to the county’s child protection hotline at 800-540-4000.