CHAMP Resources

Maryland Child Abuse Medical Professionals (CHAMP) has developed the following practice recommendations and resources to assist in the evaluation of and response to suspected child maltreatment. Please use this information in consultation with a child abuse medical expert.

Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Recommendations

In order to assure and maintain the highest quality care for Maryland children, CHAMP highly recommends that all medical providers who evaluate children for suspected maltreatment participate in expert review by an Advanced Medical Consultant.

• CHAMP's CQI Recommendations

• NCA's National Standards of Accreditation - National Children's Alliance (nationalchildrensalliance.org)

Web-Based Peer Review

When evaluating children for physical or sexual abuse, it is highly recommended to use TeleCAM to enable continuous quality improvement and to document the physical findings. TeleCAM is a secure and HIPAA-compliant Web-based application that allows Maryland medical professionals to upload case information (including photographs) and receive rapid feedback from Maryland CHAMP faculty. Anyone with Internet access is able to use TeleCAM.

Maryland medical professionals, who evaluate children for suspected maltreatment and who would like to participate in this valuable continuous quality improvement system, please contact CHAMP at champ@lifebridgehealth.org, to learn more and/or sign up for a TeleCAM account.

Handouts for Parents and Youth

• Frequently Asked Questions by Parents/Caregivers

Templates for Useful Clinical Materials

• Medical Evaluation Brochure

• Consent For Medical Evaluation

• Parent/Youth Handout Post Medical Eval. for Suspected Sexual Abuse

• Physical Abuse Evaluation Form

• Sexual Abuse Evaluation Form

• Letter to Primary Care Physician

Policy Statements

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect periodically issues policy statements on important areas of practice.

General Practice

• Child Abuse, Confidentiality, and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (1/10, reaffirmed 5/14)

Physical Abuse

• Abusive Head Trauma in Infants and Children (5/09, reaffirmed 3/13)

Clinical Reports

General Practice

• Children Exposed to Maltreatment: Assessment and the Role of Psychotropic Medication (2/20)

• Clinical Considerations Related to the Behavioral Manifestations of Child Maltreatment (4/17)

• The Disproportionality of Poverty, Race, and Ethnicity With Child Maltreatment Reporting (8/22)

• Recognizing and Responding to Medical Neglect (7/12, reaffirmed 5/16)

• Distinguishing Sudden Infant Death Syndrome from Child Abuse Fatalities (7/06, Reaffirmed 1/10, 3/13, 10/17)

• Effective Discipline to Raise Healthy Children (12/18)

• Maltreatment of Children with Disabilities (5/21)

• Ongoing Pediatric Health Care for the Child Who Has Been Maltreated (4/19)

• The Pediatrician's Role in the Prevention of Child Maltreatment (9/10)

• Protecting Children From Sexual Abuse by Health Care Professionals and in the Health Care Setting (9/22)

Physical Abuse

• Abusive Head Trauma in Infants and Children (4/20)

• Identifying Child Abuse Fatalities During Infancy (9/19)

• The Eye Examination in the Evaluation of Child Abuse (8/18)

• Evaluating for Suspected Child Abuse: Conditions That Predispose to Bleeding (10/22)

• Evaluating Infants and Young Children with Multiple Fractures (9/06)

• Evaluation for Bleeding Disorders in Suspected Child Abuse (10/22)

• Evaluating Children with Fractures for Child Abuse (2/14)

Sexual Abuse

• Evaluation of Sexual Behaviors in Children (9/09, reaffirmed 3/13, reaffirmed 2/19)

• Evaluation of Children in the Primary Care Setting when Sexual Abuse is Suspected (8/13, reaffirmed 11/18)

Neglect

• When is Lack of Supervision Neglect? (9/06)

• Failure to Thrive as a Manifestation of Child Abuse (11/05, Reaffirmed 5/09)

Sex Trafficking

• Child Sex Trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation: Health Care Needs of Victims (3/15)

• Exploitation, Labor and Sex Trafficking of Children and Adolescents: Health Care Needs of Patients (1/23)

Mental Health

• Understanding the Behavioral and Emotional Consequences of Child Abuse (9/08)

• Psychological Maltreatment (7/12, reaffirmed 8/16)

• Caregiver-Fabricated Illness in a Child: A Manifestation of Child Maltreatment (9/13, reaffirmed 11/18)

Other

• Oral and Dental Aspects of Child Abuse and Neglect (12/05, Reaffirmed 5/09, 5/14)

• Intimate Partner Violence (5/10, reaffirmed 6/19)

Technical Reports

General Practice

• Evaluating for Suspected Child Abuse: Conditions that Predispose to Bleeding Technical Report (4/13, reaffirmed 11/16)

Postexposure Prophylaxis in Children and Adolescents for Nonoccupational Exposure to Human Immunodeficiency Virus

• Post-Exposure Prophylaxis Guidelines

• n-Pep Post-Exposure Policy & Procedure Template

Visit AIDS Education and Training Center (AETC) for more information. AETC is a network of the nation’s leading HIV experts who provide education and training to health care professionals to ensure those living with or who been affected by HIV receive quality care.

American Academy of Radiology

• The American Academy of Radiology's guideline on performing skeletal surveys on children

• ACR Appropriateness Criteria® on Suspected Physical Abuse—Child Review Article

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

• Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines

• Update to CDC's Treatment Guidelines for Gonococcal Infection

It is strongly encouraged for children and youth to receive a mental health evaluation if they are suspected of being victims of abuse or neglect.

Please connect with your jurisdiction's CAC to access trauma-informed mental health resources.

• Behavioral Health Authorities by County

• Mental Health Services Search

Reporting Suspected Child Abuse or Neglect

If you suspect that a child has been abused or neglected, please contact Child Protective Services (CPS), in the jurisdiction where the abuse or neglect may have occurred. Click here to find CPS contact information, as well as instructions on how to make the report. Or, you may also call 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) to talk with a counselor and get the phone number of your local hotline. Find information about prevention, intervention and treatment resources for children who have been abused, neglected or are at risk.

Child Advocacy Centers (CAC)

• Maryland Child Advocacy Centers provide a safe place for children to talk about possible abuse with members of law enforcement, Child Protective Services, counselors, their families and other involved professionals.

Information Related to Suspected Sexual Abuse

• Parent Handout after Medical Evaluation

• Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about medical evaluations for sexual abuse

• Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault - Resources related to preventing and addressing sexual abuse

• Stop It Now - Resources and education related to preventing sexual abuse

• RAINN - Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network

Information on Supportive Services for Families

• Maryland Department of Human Services has information about foster care and adoptions, food & energy assistance, child support, mental health and numerous other program.

• Focus Adolescent Services, a resource for supporting teenagers and their families.

• Children's Home Society & Family Services provide classes, workshops, webinars and support groups to help families.

• Maryland Family Network provide comprehensive information about where to access resources to support people who have a developmental disability.

• The Family Tree provides families with support and referral services, as well as therapeutic and educational services.

• Department of Human Resources (DHR) - Please find DHR for each jurisdiction in Maryland.

• Family support and Preservation Services

• Legal Aid Services - Please learn about Maryland residents' qualifications for legal aid services.

• Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) - Please click here to connect with a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA).

Child Development Resources

• Maryland Child Care - Learn about guidelines for healthy development and care of newborns to three year olds.

• Maryland Division of Early Childhood Development - Learn about early childhood development resources.

• Maryland Family Network - Learn more about early intervention programs for infants and toddlers.

Intimate Partner Violence Support Resources

• House of Ruth, a domestic violence shelter and support center.

• Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence - Call 1-800-799-SAFE (1-800-799-7233) 24 hours a day and they will direct you to local resources in your community.

• Maryland domestic violence support programs, by jurisdiction.

Maryland Department of Education

• Maryland Department of Education's Parent Resources

Food Resources

• Department of Human Resources' Food Supplement Program

• Maryland emergency food programs, such as food pantries and soup kitchens.

Substance Abuse Resources

• Maryland Certified Treatment Directory

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)

The AAP is comprised of 60,000 pediatricians, working to ensure optimal health for all children by providing parent support, health policies and guidelines, as well as research and advocacy.

The AAP Section on Child Abuse and Neglect (SOCAN) is dedicated to improving the care of infants, children, and adolescents who are abused and neglected by providing an educational forum for the discussion of problems and treatments relating to child abuse and neglect and its prevention. In addition, objectives of the Section include stimulating research in child abuse and neglect and serving in a consulting capacity to the AAP Board of Directors on policy and other issues in this area.

AAP's mission is to attain optimal physical, mental, and social health and well-being for all infants, children, adolescents, and young adults. To accomplish this mission, the AAP shall support the professional needs of its members. The AAP also has a Maryland Chapter.

AAP offers:

• Policy statements

• Clinical and technical reports

• Clinical practice guidelines

• Parental support

• Professional education

The Maryland Children's Alliance (MCA)

The MCA is a consortium of Child Advocacy Centers (CACs) throughout Maryland. The organization provides training, resources, and networking opportunities for child abuse professionals in Maryland. Maryland Children's Alliance also seeks to educate the public on the prevention of child abuse and keeping children safe.

MCA's goal is to support jurisdictions that are seeking to develop interdisciplinary teams and establish new child advocacy centers while also enhancing the services available at existing Centers.

MCA offers:

• Training of child abuse professionals

• Periodic funding opportunities for CACs

• Assistance in developing and maintaining CACs

• Networking opportunities

Local Child Advocacy Centers may offer:

• Case coordination

• Forensic interviews

• Mental health services

• Medical services

• Family and court advocacy

• Multi-disciplinary teamwork

The Maryland Board of Nursing

The Maryland Board of Nursing regulates the practice of all Maryland nurses.

The mission of the Board of Nursing is to advance safe quality care in Maryland through licensure, certification, education and accountability for public protection.

The Maryland Board of Nursing offers:

• Licensure

• Education

• Scholarship resources

• Training program information

• Continuing education information

• Regulation of all nursing practices

The Maryland Board of Nursing also provides advanced practice information and information on regulations governing Forensic Nurse Examiners (FNE) practice.

The National Child Protection Training Center (NCPTC)

The NCPTC focuses on curriculum development and training for professionals in the field of child maltreatment while continually working on advocacy and prevention efforts for children who have been or at risk of being maltreated.

NCPTC's goal is to educate and train others, raise awareness and do prevention work, as well as provide staunch advocacy, all in an effort to end child abuse, neglect and maltreatment.

NCPTC offers:

• Training

• Education

• Advocacy

• Webinars

The American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC)

APSAC is an interdisciplinary group of professionals working in the field of child maltreatment.

APSAC's mission is to enhance the professional response to suspected abuse and neglect.

APSAC offers:

• Training opportunities at its national colloquium and other workshops

• The journal, Child Maltreatment, includes research and reviews on issues pertaining to abuse and neglect

• The quarterly newsletter, The Advisor, includes reviews of different topics, policy updates, and information on upcoming conferences

The International Society for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (ISPCAN)

ISPCAN is a multidisciplinary international organization working toward the prevention and treatment of child abuse, neglect and exploitation, globally.

ISPCAN's mission is to support individuals and organizations working to protect children from abuse and neglect worldwide.

ISPCAN offers:

• Dissemination of research for policy and practice improvement

• International efforts to protect children's rights

• International efforts to detect, treat and prevent child abuse and neglect

Training opportunities for professionals and volunteers involved in the treatment and prevention of child abuse and neglect.

National Children's Alliance (NCA)

NCA is a national association and the accrediting body for children’s advocacy centers (CACs) across the United States. It provides accreditation to children’s advocacy centers who meet the ten National Standards for Accreditation. The Standards help ensure that all children served by children’s advocacy centers receive consistent evidence-based and evidence-supported interventions that help them pursue safety, healing, and justice.

• National Standards of Accreditation for Children’s Advocacy Centers (2023)

• National Optional Standards of Accreditation for Children’s Advocacy Centers (2023)

• Putting Standards into Practice (2023)

Prevent Child Abuse America (PCA America)

PCA America works to raise awareness and provide education to prevent child abuse and neglect.

PCA America's mission is to prevent the abuse and neglect of America's children.

PCA America offers:

• Training conferences

• Research in the area of child abuse and neglect

• Publications on prevention of child abuse and neglect

• Advocacy for prevention of child abuse and neglect

• Monitoring legislation

• Raising funding

• Collaborating with community allies

Child Abuse Evaluation and Treatment for Medical Providers

This website is set up like a resource book, supporting medical professionals who do not have expertise in child abuse pediatrics, in responding to possible child abuse and neglect.

International Association of Forensic Nurses

This association offers certifications, continuing education, and network opportunities for forensic nurses.