Emergency Information
Anytime you are in immediate danger, you should dial 911 to receive emergency services, including the police and fire departments, or emergency medical assistance.
If you find yourself in any of the following situations, please also reach out to your LFC lawyer or social worker.
Are you being abused in foster care in New York City?
You can call the ACS Office of Advocacy at 212-676-9421
You should contact your lawyer at:
- Lawyers For Children: 212-966-6420 or 1-800-244-2540 (a free call in New York State)
- Legal Aid Society-Juvenile Rights Division: 212-420-6200 or
You can reach Legal Aid’s borough offices at the following numbers:
Manhattan (212) 349-3200
Bronx (718) 579-7900
Brooklyn (718) 237-3100
Queens (718) 298-8900
Staten Island (718) 981-0219
Telephone Hotlines
Any child, young person, or adult can report abuse in New York State to the Child Abuse Hotline, which may result in an emergency removal of the young person from their home and an investigation by Child Protective Services:
1-800-342-3720
Any child, young person, or adult in or outside of New York State can report abuse to Child Help USA:
1-800-422-4453
Reporting Abuse to in Adult in New York State
If you decide to speak to a relative or another responsible adult that you trust and ask them for help, the following is a list of adults who are called "mandated reporters." This means that if you tell them that you are being hurt or abused, they must, by law, tell the Administration for Children's Services.
- Teachers
- Guidance counselors
- Social workers
- Therapists
- Drug and alcohol counselors
- Doctors
- Nurses
- Dentists
- Psychiatrists or psychologists
- District attorneys
- Police officers
Reporting Abuse to the Police
You can also go to your local police precinct and ask to speak to the Youth Officer, the Special Victims detective, or any police officer on duty.
Are You Being Abused in School?
In addition to the general child abuse phone numbers, if you are being abused in school in New York City, you can call the Special Commissioner of Investigation for the NYC Board of Education at 212-510-1400
Are You Homeless and Need an Emergency Shelter?
Anyone under age 18 can contact or go to the ACS Children’s Center:
ACS Children's Center
492 1st Avenue
New York, NY 10016
212-966-8000
If you are between the ages of 18 and 21 and you were never in foster care, you can contact or go to Covenant House for assistance.
Covenant House NY
427 W 52nd St, New York, NY 10019
(212) 247-5670
If you are 21 or older, you must go through the NYC Department of Homeless Services.
NYC Department of Homeless Services
(212) 361-8000
If you have been arrested and need help in a criminal matter?
- If you are a client of Lawyers For Children, call: 212-966-6420 or 1-800-244-2540 (a free call in New York State)
- Contact the Legal Aid Society at 212-577-3300.