Lincoln – Nebraska officials are concerned the closure of schools, widespread job losses and social isolation could be driving an uptick in child abuse cases, the state’s child welfare administrator said last Tuesday.

Stephanie Beasley, director of Nebraska Health and Human Services’ Child and Family Services Division, said the coronavirus pandemic is putting a major strain on the families her agency serves.

Beasley said the pandemic is making it more difficult for children to get social services and for parents to get substance abuse treatment and counseling.

Statewide school closures have also kept children at home and away from teachers, who are among the most likely to notice and report signs of abuse.

“These stressors can create a recipe for child abuse and neglect,” Beasley said at a news conference with Gov. Pete Ricketts at the state Capitol.

Beasley said the state’s child abuse hotline has seen a drop in calls, likely because fewer people are reporting abuse.

Additionally, the number of applications for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program increased an unusual 35% in March compared to the previous month, suggesting that more people are seeking public benefits to deal with job losses.

Ricketts said last Tuesday he signed an executive order that would allow Nebraska’s SNAP recipients to collect the benefit for an extra six months.