Since opening its phone lines in January 2010, the Nebraska Family Helpline (NFH) has helped more than 5,000 families in Nebraska. It also marks the second year the service has been available across the state. Parents or guardians from 81 of the state’s 93 counties have called in those past two years, seeking help for conflicts within their families.

Parents call the NFH when they are concerned with their child’s behaviors and think they need additional help to address the situation. The NFH provides support for families to deal with their immediate crisis and help them gain access to services in their area for a long-term solution.

“One night in December 2010, I called the Nebraska Family Helpline out of sheer desperation,” said Karen, a mother whose son had been problematic at home for years. “That first phone call is a hard one to make, but people must realize that no problem is too small. I got my child back through a lot of work, hard decisions and tough love.”

Although not all situations are the same, the NFH counselors help to get families the appropriate services if they’re need. Of all the issues reported by callers, the top five regarding children had to do with not following family rules, being aggressive at home, arguing, conflicts with school authority figures and low grades.

The Nebraska Family Helpline is a free, 24/7 helpline provided by Boys Town and funded by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. For more information, visit www.nebraskafamilyhelpline.ne.gov. The Helpline number is 1-888 866-8660.