The Division of Child
Abuse Pediatrics is CHKD's Child
Abuse Program. The program provides expert medical and mental health
evaluation of children with suspected child abuse and neglect. Consultations
are provided by both the medical and psychological staff for inpatient
hospitalized children and through outpatient medical clinics and
outpatient psychological services. Outpatient sexual abuse consultation
is primarily available for medical providers on a case-by-case basis.
Additional investigative services include outpatient
therapeutic intervention provided by mental health staff. The program
performs second medical opinion on cases of suspected abuse for
investigators in all of Eastern Virginia. The program served approximately
700 patients during the past year. Policy and procedure are reviewed
monthly by the faculty management team.
The faculty also serve on the Child
Abuse Committee at CHKD which is comprised of a multidisciplinary
team involved in the evaluation of suspected child abuse and neglect.
Primary team members involve the Child Abuse Program faculty and
staff, Emergency Department faculty and staff, Social Work staff,
and nursing staff. This group meets approximately quarterly to discuss
hospitalized patients with child abuse and neglect issues.
