About Child Abuse Medical Professionals
The Child Abuse Medical Professionals (CHAMP) network consists of physicians and nurses who are expert in the field of child maltreatment and who serve as a resource to medical professionals, child advocacy centers (CACs), and MDT partners, evaluate suspected abuse and neglect in children, and provide consultation and training to community professionals.
Child maltreatment is a common and serious public health concern, resulting in significant morbidity, mortality, and costs. According to the Maryland Department of Human Services’ Child Protective Services, in 2020 there were 44,160 reports of alleged child abuse and neglect.
Maryland Health General Article §13-2201-2207 established the Child Abuse Medical Professionals (Maryland CHAMP) Initiative in the Maryland Department of Health. The goal is to identify, recruit, train, and provide ongoing support, education, and expert consultation in the diagnosis and treatment of child abuse to healthcare providers who evaluate children with suspected child abuse or neglect at Child Advocacy Centers (CACs), emergency departments, and other locations.
CACs are child-friendly facilities where children suspected of having been sexually abused are interviewed, undergo medical evaluations, and may receive mental health treatment. CACs stress the coordination of investigations and intervention services by bringing together professionals and agencies as Multidisciplinary Teams (MDTs) with a trauma- and child-focused approach.