Our Services CHILD PROTECTION TEAM

The Child Protection Team (CPT) provides crisis intervention on a 24-hour basis which includes medical examinations and evaluations, forensic interviews of victims of abuse or violent crimes, psychosocial family assessments, multidisciplinary staffings, case consultation, psychological evaluations, and expert court testimony.  CPT works closely with law enforcement, the State Attorney’s Office, Department of Children and Families, the medical community, and community-based care providers.

Children are referred to CPT by the Department of Children and Families which is the agency responsible for answering the Abuse Hotline.  An investigator, and possibly a member of law enforcement, is dispatched to assess the situation.  If there is reasonable cause to suspect that a child has been abused or neglected, the child may be referred to CPT for further assessment.  Following the assessment, staff makes a recommendation to the Department of Children and Families and law enforcement (if involved) who determine what happens next.

The next steps could result in court appearances, arrest, or court-ordered counseling.  The child may be placed in protective supervision and/or foster care.  Voluntary services such as parenting classes, specialized therapy for child victims and adult survivors, and safety education classes may also be recommended.