VIDEO: Crisis Nursery expects surge as holidays approach

Ksdk-With the holiday season approaching in a down economy, child health advocates are concerned about child abuse and neglect. Missouri falls at the top of the list for those statistics. That's why the Crisis Nursery wants to make sure people know help is out there.

The child abuse prevention agency provides emergency intervention and support services for families 24 hours a day. It's for newborns to kids age 12, and the services are all free. Volunteers provide daycare. " (We) Play with the kids. Hold them, feed them. Rock them to sleep. Read books to them," says Joe Kramer.

Since January, the number of people relying on the center has gone up 25%. Dianne Mueller, the Executive Director of Crisis Nursery says people who in the past would have called to volunteer, are now calling for help.

"People from Maplewood, Chesterfield, Kirkwood, neighborhoods, that in the past, had other options, other resources, but they've expended their resources now. And they're calling, saying they literally don't know what to do," says Mueller.

The holiday season poses one of the more stressfull times of the year. Mueller says, "For parents with no money, no resources at all, it does is add additional stress."

You can call the St. Louis Crisis Nursery in St. Louis at 314-768 -3201. In St. Charles, 636-947-0600.