Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Services
Our inpatient practice evaluates children in the pediatric emergency department, acute-care floors and the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). These children are evaluated for suspected physical abuse, sexual abuse and neglect. Our services include:
- 24/7 Acute Sexual Abuse Forensic Medical Evaluations by SANE
- Non-Acute Sexual Abuse Forensic Medical Evaluations
- Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) Evaluations
- 24/7 Physical Abuse Evaluations
- Medical Clearance/Foster Care Evaluations
- Drug Exposure Evaluations
- Failure to Thrive Evaluations
Medical providers are also available to other medical professionals, law enforcement, child protective services (CPS) and investigators from the district attorney’s office for consultation and to provide expert opinion on child abuse/neglect cases.
Multi-Disciplinary Interview Center
The Multi-Disciplinary Interview Center (MDIC) was established in 2015 to assist children and dependent adults whom are suspected victims of sexual or physical abuse or who may have been witness to a crime. The purpose of the MDIC is to reduce the number of interviews and decrease the number of people whom will talk to the victim. This program provides a welcoming, child friendly environment where children and dependent adults can feel safe and be interviewed by a trained professional.
A Collaborative Approach
The Center works closely with law enforcement, CPS and district attorneys’ offices in their investigative efforts of child maltreatment. Collaborative efforts include case consultation and monthly Suspect Child Abuse and Neglect (SCAN) meetings facilitated by our Child Advocacy Clinic in an effort to track, monitor and advocate for the health and safety of at-risk children throughout the Valley. The SCAN team comprises multidisciplinary members that include physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, social workers, law enforcement, CPS, attorneys, public health and other individuals and groups when indicated.
For prevention education, the Center collaborates with internal and external partners to provide education to parents, caregivers, healthcare personnel, teachers and mandated reporters of suspected child maltreatment. These partners include Valley Children’s Trauma Department’s Injury Prevention Team, Safe Kids, Child Abuse Prevention Councils of California, Comprehensive Youth Services, Child Protective Services (CPS), Exceptional Parents Unlimited, Sexual Assault Response Teams (SART), Pediatric Death Review Teams (PDRT) and county public health departments.
Additionally, the Center provides guidance to our patients and families at Valley Children’s Hospital.