NCJ Number
49040
Date Published
1972
Length
8 pages
Annotation
AN APPROACH TO COORDINATING THE CHILD ABUSE-RELATED EFFORTS OF HOSPITALS AND COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE SERVICE AGENCIES IS OUTLINED.
Abstract
THE PROCESS BEGINS WHEN AN INJURED CHILD IS BROUGHT TO THE HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM BY PARENTS, A CHILD WELFARE WORKER, OR POLICE. THE PRELIMINARY DIAGNOSIS IS MADE, AND ALL CASES IN WHICH NONACCIDENTAL INJURY IS SUSPECTED ARE ADMITTED TO THE HOSPITAL. WITHIN 24 HOURS, THE HOSPITAL TELEPHONES A REPORT OF SUSPECTED ABUSE TO THE CHILD PROTECTIVE AGENCY, THE AGENCY BEGINS EVALUATION OF THE CHILD'S HOME, AND THE HOSPITAL'S CHILD ABUSE CONSULTATION TEAM (CONSISTING OF A PEDIATRICIAN, A SOCIAL WORKER, AND A CHILD ABUSE COORDINATOR) BEGINS EVALUATION OF THE CASE. WITHIN 72 HOURS, A DISPOSITIONAL CONFERENCE, ATTENDED BY ALL AGENCY AND HOSPITAL PERSONNEL INVOLVED IN THE CASE, IS HELD, AND A DECISION REGARDING COURT INTERVENTION IS MADE BY THE AGENCY. WITHIN 2 WEEKS, A DISPOSITIONAL PLAN IS IMPLEMENTED BY BOTH THE HOSPITAL AND THE AGENCY. THE AGENCY KEEPS THE CASE OPEN AS LONG AS NECESSARY, AND THE HOSPITAL CONDUCTS FOLLOWUP EXAMINATIONS OF ALL CHILDREN IN THE ABUSED CHILD'S FAMILY. LONG TERM (6 TO 9 MONTHS) TREATMENT EFFORTS MAY INVOLVE THE FOLLOWING: CASEWORK BY PROTECTIVE SERVICE, HOSPITAL, AND PRIVATE AGENCY SOCIAL WORKERS; SUPERVISED 'PARENT AIDES'; SPECIAL DAY CARE CENTERS; CRISIS CENTERS; PSYCHIATRIC COUNSELING; 'PARENTS ANONYMOUS' PROGRAMS; AND NEIGHBORHOOD CENTERS. THE FINAL STEP, IF THE CHILD HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM HIS OR HER HOME, IS THE CHILD'S RETURN TO A SAFE HOME. THIS APPROACH, WHICH IS APPLICABLE IS BOTH LARGE CITIES AND SMALL TOWNS, IS BASED ON THE UNDERSTANDING THAT CHILD ABUSE IS A COMPLEX PROBLEM REQUIRING THE RESOURCES OF BOTH MEDICAL AND SOCIAL SERVICE PROFESSIONALS. (LKM)