What is neglect?

Neglect may be:

1. Physical (e.g., failure to provide necessary food or shelter, or lack of appropriate supervision)
2. Medical (e.g., failure to provide necessary medical or mental health treatment)
3. Educational (e.g., failure to educate a child or attend to special education needs)
4. Emotional (e.g., inattention to a child's emotional needs, failure to provide psychological care, or permitting the child to use drugs or alcohol)

These situations do not always mean a child is being neglected. Sometimes cultural values, the standards of care in the community, and poverty may be contributing factors, indicating the family is in need of information or assistance. When a family fails to use information and resources and the child's health or safety is at risk, then child welfare intervention may be required.