NCJ Number
49039
Date Published
1972
Length
16 pages
Annotation
THE BENEFITS OF ESTABLISHING CHILD ABUSE CONSULTATION TEAMS IN HOSPITALS ARE POINTED OUT, AND THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF EACH TEAM MEMBER ARE SPECIFIED.
Abstract
THE DESIGNATION OF A CHILD ABUSE CONSULTATION TEAM CAN TURN THE CONFUSION AND PROBLEMS OFTEN ASSOCIATED WITH ABUSE CASES INTO POSITIVE THERAPEUTIC PROGRAMS WITH BENEFITS FOR CHILDREN, PARENTS, AND HOSPITAL PERSONNEL. THE CONSULTATION TEAM CONSISTS OF A PEDIATRICIAN, A SOCIAL WORKER, AND A COORDINATOR. IN A HOSPITAL WHERE 30 TO 50 ABUSED CHILDREN ARE ADMITTED EACH YEAR, THE PEDIATRICIAN AND SOCIAL WORKER MIGHT SPEND UP TO 30 PERCENT OF THEIR TIME AS CHILD ABUSE CONSULTANTS. THE TEAM COORDINATOR--THE ONLY TEAM MEMBER WHO DEVOTES FULL TIME TO THE CONSULTATION PROGRAM--PROMOTES EARLY INTERVENTION IN CHILD ABUSE SITUATIONS, MAINTAINS COMMUNICATIONS AMONG THOSE INVOLVED IN ABUSE CASES, CONDUCTS CASE-FINDING ACTIVITIES, LOCATES 'LOST' FAMILIES, KEEPS RECORDS, CONDUCTS PUBLIC RELATIONS ACTIVITIES, AND PROVIDES ASSISTANCE TO PARENTS. THE DISPOSITIONAL CONFERENCE IS A USEFUL MECHANISM FOR COORDINATING THE EFFORTS OF ALL SERVICE PROVIDERS WHO ARE TO BE INVOLVED IN HELPING AN ABUSED CHILD AND HIS OR HER FAMILY. THE HOSPITAL'S CHILD ABUSE PROGRAM ALSO MUST INCLUDE CLOSE COOPERATION WITH THE COMMUNITY CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICE. HOSPITALS THAT CANNOT SUPPORT INDIVIDUAL CONSULTATION TEAMS SHOULD WORK TOGETHER TO DEVELOP JOINT CONSULTATION PROGRAMS. GUIDELINES TO ASSIST THE SOCIAL WORKER/CHILD ABUSE CONSULTANT IN UNDERSTANDING ABUSIVE PARENTS, OBTAINING AND ASSESSING DATA, AND COLLABORATING WITH MEDICAL STAFF ARE PROVIDED. (LKM)