Protect from harm.
Connect with care.

Learning difficulties, school support, bullying, disability accommodations and communication with staff.

1. Find someone to help

A place to start: Find your public school district. Check that the service fits your needs and location.

2. Ask about your options

What can I ask my child’s school?

Ask the teacher or counselor: “What are you seeing, what support can start now, and how will we review progress?” For possible disability needs, ask the special education or Section 504 coordinator about an evaluation and procedural safeguards. Request a written plan, a named contact and a follow-up date. A Parent Center can help you prepare. If bullying continues, use the district’s reporting process and ask the principal about a safety plan.

3. Agree on the next step

Ask who to contact, what to do next and when to follow up. If the service cannot help, ask who else to try.

Questions about possible abuse, neglect, unsafe situations and how to seek appropriate help.

1. Find someone to help

A place to start: Childhelp: child safety questions. Check that the service fits your needs and location.

2. Ask about your options

Who can help me choose the right next step?

Childhelp can explain support and reporting options. For a formal report, use the child protective services or law enforcement agency responsible for the child’s location. Ask about confidentiality and reporting obligations. If a child is in immediate danger, call 911.

3. Agree on the next step

Ask who to contact, what to do next and when to follow up. If the service cannot help, ask who else to try.

Practical help for parents, guardians, kinship caregivers and families of every structure.

1. Find someone to help

A place to start: 211: local practical help. Check that the service fits your needs and location.

2. Ask about your options

What should I ask about available family support?

Ask your state agency or local 211 about child care assistance, food, health coverage, transportation and family support. Ask what documents are required, whether there is a waitlist and where to appeal a decision. For custody or parenting orders, ask qualified local legal aid about your options.

3. Agree on the next step

Ask who to contact, what to do next and when to follow up. If the service cannot help, ask who else to try.

Emotional, practical and legal support before, during and after separation or divorce.

1. Find someone to help

A place to start: Find a DivorceCare group. Check that the service fits your needs and location.

2. Ask about your options

Where can I find support that fits my situation?

Start with a support group, counselor or qualified local lawyer. Ask about cost, confidentiality, meeting format and whether the service fits your family. Keep legal deadlines and emotional support separate so each is handled by the right person.

3. Agree on the next step

Ask who to contact, what to do next and when to follow up. If the service cannot help, ask who else to try.

Child-centered help when contact is strained, resisted, interrupted or affected by family conflict.

1. Find someone to help

A place to start: AFCC–NCJFCJ joint statement. Check that the service fits your needs and location.

2. Ask about your options

How should these problems be approached?

Use a broad, child-centered assessment. Safety concerns, family conflict, development, abuse, parenting behavior and possible parental alienating behaviors may all need consideration. Avoid deciding the cause from one label. Ask qualified local professionals to document facts, screen safety and recommend proportionate help.

3. Agree on the next step

Ask who to contact, what to do next and when to follow up. If the service cannot help, ask who else to try.

Practical support for manipulation, coercion, repeated conflict, emotional abuse or difficult boundaries—without diagnosing another person.

1. Find someone to help

A place to start: The National Domestic Violence Hotline. Check that the service fits your needs and location.

2. Ask about your options

What can I do when another person’s behavior is harming me?

Focus on specific behavior, its impact and your safety. Keep factual records when appropriate, use clear boundaries and ask a qualified advocate, counselor or lawyer about next steps. A personality-disorder diagnosis belongs to a licensed clinician who has evaluated the person.

3. Agree on the next step

Ask who to contact, what to do next and when to follow up. If the service cannot help, ask who else to try.

Help locating shelter, rental assistance, housing counseling and utility support.

1. Find someone to help

A place to start: HUD Find Shelter. Check that the service fits your needs and location.

2. Ask about your options

How do I find help available where I live?

Search by location, then contact providers directly about openings, eligibility, documents and accessibility. Tell them if children, disability needs or pets affect the kind of housing you need.

3. Agree on the next step

Ask who to contact, what to do next and when to follow up. If the service cannot help, ask who else to try.

Treatment, recovery groups and family support for alcohol or drug concerns.

1. Find someone to help

A place to start: FindTreatment.gov. Check that the service fits your needs and location.

2. Ask about your options

How do I choose a safe place to start?

Ask about licensing, clinical assessment, level of care, medications, insurance, cost and openings. For a medical emergency or suspected overdose, call 911. Family members can seek support even when the person using substances is not ready for treatment.

3. Agree on the next step

Ask who to contact, what to do next and when to follow up. If the service cannot help, ask who else to try.

Peer, community and professional support after a death or other major loss.

1. Find someone to help

A place to start: Find a GriefShare group. Check that the service fits your needs and location.

2. Ask about your options

What kind of grief support might help?

Consider a peer group, hospice bereavement program, faith community or licensed counselor. Ask who the program serves, whether it fits your loss, what it costs and when it meets. For immediate emotional crisis support, call or text 988.

3. Agree on the next step

Ask who to contact, what to do next and when to follow up. If the service cannot help, ask who else to try.

Safety, independence, isolation, care concerns and financial exploitation.

1. Find someone to help

A place to start: Eldercare Locator. Check that the service fits your needs and location.

2. Ask about your options

Which organization should I contact?

For daily support or caregiver services, start with Eldercare Locator. For suspected abuse or exploitation, use the state Adult Protective Services directory. For concerns in a care facility, ask for a long-term care ombudsman and the appropriate reporting agency. Ask how the older adult’s choices, consent and privacy will be respected.

3. Agree on the next step

Ask who to contact, what to do next and when to follow up. If the service cannot help, ask who else to try.

Support with threats, coercion, unsafe relationships and safety planning.

1. Find someone to help

A place to start: Domestic violence support. Check that the service fits your needs and location.

2. Ask about your options

Can I ask for help before deciding what to do?

Ask an advocate to explain your options, confidentiality limits, shelter availability and support for children or pets. Make contact from a device and place you consider safe. You can ask about safer boundaries and next steps without promising reconciliation or renewed contact.

3. Agree on the next step

Ask who to contact, what to do next and when to follow up. If the service cannot help, ask who else to try.

Support after sexual harm, labor exploitation or sex trafficking.

1. Find someone to help

A place to start: RAINN: sexual assault support. Check that the service fits your needs and location.

2. Ask about your options

What can an advocate help me understand?

Ask about medical care, emotional support, local services and reporting options. Before sharing identifying details, ask about confidentiality and mandatory reporting. Qualified advocates can help you consider choices that fit your situation.

3. Agree on the next step

Ask who to contact, what to do next and when to follow up. If the service cannot help, ask who else to try.

Help with disability rights, accessible services, accommodations and unfair treatment.

1. Find someone to help

A place to start: Disability rights help in your state. Check that the service fits your needs and location.

2. Ask about your options

Where can I ask about my rights?

Start with a disability rights organization or qualified local legal aid. Ask whether the issue falls within their services, which complaint process applies and whether there is a deadline. Use the civil rights portal for an appropriate report; emergency threats require immediate local help.

3. Agree on the next step

Ask who to contact, what to do next and when to follow up. If the service cannot help, ask who else to try.

Help with racial discrimination, harassment and unfair treatment at work, in housing, at school or in public services.

1. Find someone to help

Choose the service below that matches where the problem happened. For disability access and accommodations, also see Disability support & accessibility.

2. Ask about your options

Write down what happened, when and where, and keep relevant messages or records. Ask the agency or qualified legal aid whether it handles your concern, what deadlines apply, and how your information will be used. A report does not guarantee an investigation or representation.

3. Agree on the next step

Ask where to submit your concern and how to follow up. For politically motivated threats or intimidation, describe the specific conduct and ask which service can help. Political disagreement alone does not establish unlawful discrimination. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.

Food, rent, shelter, utilities and practical help that strengthens safety and stability.

1. Find someone to help

A place to start: 211: local practical help. Check that the service fits your needs and location.

2. Ask about your options

How do I find help I can actually use?

Ask whether the provider serves your ZIP code, has funds or openings, accepts your household and requires documents. If it cannot help, ask for a current referral. Families with children or pets can ask specifically about accommodation for the whole household.

3. Agree on the next step

Ask who to contact, what to do next and when to follow up. If the service cannot help, ask who else to try.

Care, emotional support and recovery after difficult experiences.

1. Find someone to help

A place to start: Find a health center. Check that the service fits your needs and location.

2. Ask about your options

How do I find appropriate ongoing support?

Ask about the provider’s qualifications, experience with your needs, fees, insurance, accessibility and wait times. For immediate emotional support, call or text 988. Use 911 for immediate danger or a medical emergency.

3. Agree on the next step

Ask who to contact, what to do next and when to follow up. If the service cannot help, ask who else to try.

Civil legal questions involving family, housing, benefits or protection from harm.

1. Find someone to help

A place to start: Find civil legal aid. Check that the service fits your needs and location.

2. Ask about your options

What should I prepare before contacting legal aid?

Have a short factual summary, relevant notices and any deadlines ready. Ask whether they handle the issue and qualify you for help. Civil legal aid directories do not generally provide criminal defense; for a criminal case, ask the court about counsel and eligibility for appointed representation.

3. Agree on the next step

Ask who to contact, what to do next and when to follow up. If the service cannot help, ask who else to try.

Veterinary and food assistance, safer shelter and concerns about animal mistreatment.

1. Find someone to help

A place to start: Pet Help Finder through 211. Check that the service fits your needs and location.

2. Ask about your options

Who handles an animal welfare concern locally?

Ask animal control or local police which agency has authority for the animal’s location and species. Share factual observations, dates and location. For an injured pet, contact a veterinarian; for care costs or temporary housing, use the pet assistance directories.

3. Agree on the next step

Ask who to contact, what to do next and when to follow up. If the service cannot help, ask who else to try.

Help locating qualified wildlife responders.

1. Find someone to help

A place to start: Animal Help Now. Check that the service fits your needs and location.

2. Ask about your options

What should I ask before intervening?

Contact a wildlife specialist and describe the species, location and what you observed. Ask whether the animal needs intervention and what to do while waiting. For suspected deliberate harm, ask the appropriate wildlife or local enforcement agency how to report it.

3. Agree on the next step

Ask who to contact, what to do next and when to follow up. If the service cannot help, ask who else to try.

Help with an unsafe home, family conflict or having nowhere to stay.

1. Find someone to help

A place to start: National Runaway Safeline. Check that the service fits your needs and location.

2. Ask about your options

What can I ask a youth worker?

Ask: “What safe options are available to someone my age? What happens if I share my situation?” Ask about shelter, transport, a trusted adult and the service’s rules about reporting concerns.

3. Agree on the next step

Ask who to contact, what to do next and when to follow up. If the service cannot help, ask who else to try.

Help finding care, benefits and support after military service.

1. Find someone to help

A place to start: Find VA services near you. Check that the service fits your needs and location.

2. Ask about your options

Where should I start?

Ask a VA office which services fit your needs, what records are needed and who can help with an application. For crisis support, call 988 and press 1.

3. Agree on the next step

Ask who to contact, what to do next and when to follow up. If the service cannot help, ask who else to try.

Help with cleanup, shelter, food and recovery after a flood, hurricane, fire, storm or other disaster.

1. Find someone to help

For cleanup help, visit Crisis Cleanup and check the current disaster information for your area. Ask how to request help from participating volunteer organizations. Help depends on local availability and is not guaranteed.

A place to start: Help after a disaster. Check that the service fits your needs and location.

2. Ask about your options

How do I find available help?

Use official local emergency instructions for immediate safety. Ask about shelter, food, disaster aid and application deadlines. Tell a provider if your household needs disability access, language help or space for pets.

3. Agree on the next step

Ask who to contact, what to do next and when to follow up. If the service cannot help, ask who else to try.

Help finding a qualified person to explain immigration options.

1. Find someone to help

A place to start: Find qualified immigration legal help. Check that the service fits your needs and location.

2. Ask about your options

How do I choose legal help?

Ask whether the person is a licensed lawyer or an authorized representative. Ask what their services cost, what information they need and how they protect it. Have a qualified person review your situation and any deadlines before you act.

3. Agree on the next step

Ask who to contact, what to do next and when to follow up. If the service cannot help, ask who else to try.

Questions about wages, work hours, covered leave or unfair treatment.

1. Find someone to help

A place to start: Help with pay and work leave. Check that the service fits your needs and location.

2. Ask about your options

What can I ask about a work problem?

Ask which office handles your concern and whether a deadline applies. Give a factual account of the work, dates, pay or leave involved. Ask what happens next and how your information will be handled.

3. Agree on the next step

Ask who to contact, what to do next and when to follow up. If the service cannot help, ask who else to try.

Help when someone uses your identity or misuses money.

1. Find someone to help

A place to start: Recover from identity theft. Check that the service fits your needs and location.

2. Ask about your options

What is a safe first step?

Use the official recovery guide and contact the affected bank through its official website or the number on your statement. Ask how to protect the account and keep a record of your report. Share account details only through a verified, appropriate contact method.

3. Agree on the next step

Ask who to contact, what to do next and when to follow up. If the service cannot help, ask who else to try.

Support with distress, safety, identity and being treated with dignity.

1. Find someone to help

A place to start: The Trevor Project. Check that the service fits your needs and location.

2. Ask about your options

Can I ask about help without telling my whole story?

Ask what the service offers, who it serves and what it can keep private. Share what you feel ready to share, after understanding any reporting rules. Ask about ongoing support that fits your needs.

3. Agree on the next step

Ask who to contact, what to do next and when to follow up. If the service cannot help, ask who else to try.

Help locating care and asking about services.

1. Find someone to help

A place to start: Find Indian Health Service care. Check that the service fits your needs and location.

2. Ask about your options

Who can tell me what care is available?

Contact the facility directly. Ask who can receive care, which services are offered, what costs may apply and whether it can help with a referral. Local and Tribal services may have different requirements.

3. Agree on the next step

Ask who to contact, what to do next and when to follow up. If the service cannot help, ask who else to try.

These are established government, nonprofit and specialist resources selected for their stated purpose and geographic coverage. They are starting points, not a ranking or a guarantee of results. Ask: “Can you help me? What does it cost? When can you help? Can I get language or disability support?”

Ask what can stay private and when staff must report a concern. Share only the details needed through the service’s official contact method. This finder does not request your name or story. Your choices in this finder stay on this page; the linked organizations have their own privacy practices.

Each organization has its own mission, rules and services. A link does not mean we are partners or that the organization endorses this website. Follow its usual contact, reporting and appeal process.

Describe events accurately. Separate what you saw from what you think happened. Respect other people’s privacy and choices. Ask for consent when helping someone, while following any safety or reporting duties that apply.

Supporting Innocent provides resource information here. Professional assessment, investigations and urgent response belong with the appropriate qualified services. You can seek support without having to prove your worth or resolve a legal question first.

Sources reviewed September 9, 2026. State agency links are based on USAGov and the U.S. Department of Education. Every resource above links to its source. Local availability and service outcomes have not been independently tested.