Child Abuse Program

Spurwink Child Abuse Program staff has particular expertise in the assessment and treatment of children for abuse. Services are provided with a combination of individual and team services and offer the child and the family the best options in evaluation and treatment.

Many of the children who are seen at Spurwink's Child Abuse Program receive a medical/forensic evaluation. This includes an interview of the parent or guardian and an examination of the child by the program physician or nurse practitioner. The evaluation results in a medical diagnosis pertaining to the question of abuse and recommendations for further evaluation and treatment.

Evidentiary interviews of children are completed by specially trained master's level professionals in order to obtain specific information regarding abuse concerns. The evaluation includes an interview of the parent or guardian to obtain a psychological history and information about abuse concerns, and a standardized forensic interview of the child.

Psychological evaluations of parents and children focus on such issues as the psychological impact of abuse, parenting functioning, and treatment recommendations. A common component of the evaluation is a parent-child interaction observation. In addition, the program offers psychological evaluations for children who have been abused or who have sexual behavior problems, and for adolescents and adults who have been identified as sexual offenders. (The latter evaluations are conducted off-site.)

In selected cases, the entire team works together on the evaluation, which allows for a comprehensive assessment of the child and family.

Treatment Services are offered to help children cope with the emotional and behavioral effects of abuse, including sexual behavior problems. Parents receive counseling to help them with their own reaction to their child's abuse, as well as to assist them in managing their child's emotional and behavioral symptoms.

The staff is available for emergency evaluations. Some factors used to determine the need to be seen immediately are: recent abuse, acute injuries or immediate risk. Calls received after hours go through our answering service and can be paged out to medical or mental health providers in the program, one of whom is on call at all times.

Infants, children, and adolescents who may have experienced physical, emotional or sexual abuse or neglect may be referred to our program for diagnostic assessment and treatment. Parents in families where there are concerns of abuse may also be referred for psychological evaluations. The program also accepts referrals for children with sexual behavior problems and for adolescents and adults who have been identified as sexual offenders. (The latter evaluations are conducted off-site).

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Pamela at SS2 did BAD THINGS to her Student Rob. I’m MITCH & I was there!