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ABOUT US
University of Miami Child Protection Team Summary The Child Protection Team (CPT) was established within the University of Miami School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics in January 1980 to assist DCF in the detection and evaluation of suspected child abuse. The CPT mission is threefold: (1) to enhance support services for abused and neglected children, (2) to increase public and professional
awareness of child abuse and neglect, and (3) to promote prevention of child abuse and neglect. This interdisciplinary team involves pediatricians, nurses, caseworkers, and psychologists who collaborate
in assessment of children and families referred by DCF due to allegations of child abuse and neglect. With the establishment of the CPT Assessment Center, it is estimated that CPT will serve and additional 1440 children per year. Within 72 hours after removal from their homes due to suspected abuse or neglect, children ages birth to 18 years are provided medical and psychological screenings to determine appropriate and specific placement recommendations, and to identify signs of cognitive, emotional, and behavioral deficits that may require further assessment and mental health intervention.

CPT FACTS PROJECT (Formally the VOCA Project)
In 1997, CPT was awarded grant money from the Victims of Crime Assistance (VOCA) Program through the State Attorney General's Office to provide free services to child victims of abuse.
This grant was renewed in 1998-1999 to provide services for victims of both Dade and Monroe counties. Services funded by this grant include:

• Specialized abuse interviews, psychosocial evaluations, and psychological evaluations for children ages 13-18 who are victims of physical or sexual abuse perpetrated by a non-caretaker or another minor and their non-perpetrating caregivers.
• Individual or play therapy for child victims, ages 3-18 who are victims of physical or sexual abuse, witnesses of domestic violence, and/or those who have lost a family member to homicide.
• Parent training is provided for non-perpetrating care assist them in understanding and responding to the child's emotional and behavioral responses to abuse as well as helping them cope with the victimization of their child.
• Group therapy for children, ages 6-18, which have physically or sexually abused or witnessed domestic violence.
• Group therapy for foster parents and relative placements to assist them in facilitating the child's adjustment to placement as well as understanding and responding to the child's needs.
• Psychological assessments to identify needs of children who have been removed
from their homes due to an allegation of abuse or neglect and placed in relative care.
• Psychosocial and/or psychological evaluations to assess the appropriateness of the child's
relatives as a possible placement.

CPT FACTS: staff does not provide psychological evaluations and individual therapy in Monroe County. Professionals throughout the Keys who provide contractual services for CPT FACTS provide these services. Group therapy is not available in Monroe County at this time.

FACTS Treatment Goals
Goals for the CPT FACTS treatment program include:

• To provide mental health counseling immediately after the child as been referred due to allegations of abuse or neglect.
• To reduce the emotional and behavioral problems exhibited by the child.
• To facilitate children's adjustment to placement.
• To educate non-perpetrating caregivers (e.g., foster parent, parents if perpetrator is non-caregiver, residential placement staff) about strategies for facilitating the child's adjustment to the home environment following the traumatic event, and effective child behavior management techniques.

Team Services
Medical Evaluation - An examination of a child performed by the team physician or ARNP to determine if the child has been physically abused or neglected; and, if so, the nature and cause of the child's condition.

Nursing Assessment - An appraisal of a child in regard to their general state of health, nutrition, and psychosocial status and described in written format in the case file.

Psychosocial Assessment - Formal interview and assessment of a child/family to determine current functioning and needs. Includes use of a formal assessment protocol and communicated in the form of a written report. Objective is to provide assessment of child/family's strengths, problems, and service needs that address emotional, behavioral, and social functioning.

Specialized Interview - Structured interview to obtain information regarding the specific incident of alleged child abuse.

Multi-Agency Staffing - A meeting of three or more disciplines to problem-solve issues related to a particular case in order to advocate for the child or children and meet the needs of the family.

Expert Testimony - In court testimony by a CPT member.

Psychological Evaluation - Formal evaluation of the child/family by the team psychologist resulting in a written report. Includes both physical and sexual abuse cases. Common referral questions include:

a) What happened?
b) Recommendations regarding visitations
c) Recommendations regarding placement
d) Psychological adjustment of the child
e) Assessment of parent-child interaction
f) Services needed
g) Appropriateness of child as a witness in legal proceedings

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CONTACT STAFF MEMBERS

Medical Director:	Walter E. Lambert, M.D.	wlambert@mednet.med.miami.edu
Clinical Director:	Susan K. Dandes, Ph.D	sdandes@mednet.med.miami.edu
Program Administrator:	Dianne Arbizu, MBA, MS	storres@mednet.med.miami.edu
Nurse Liaison:	Rita Doval	rdoval@mednet.med.miami.edu
Team Coordinator:	Mangella Suarez	15321 South Dixie Highway Suite 201 Miami, Florida 33157 Phone: (305) 255-5584 Fax: (305) 255-5767
Case CoordinatorII:	Elizabeth Logan	175 Wrenn Street Tavernier, Florida 33070 Phone: (305) 853-3244 Fax: (305) 853-3530
Case CoordinatorII:	Cathi Grus	1111 12th Street Key West, Florida 33040 Phone: (305) 293-1686 Fax: (305) 293-1675                                            [ Top ]

PROGRAMS
University of Miami Child Protection Team Assessment Center The Child Protection Team Assessment Center (CPTAC) was established within the University of Miami of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics in September 1996 to assist the Department of Children and Families (DCF) in identifying the medical and psychological needs of the children who have been removed from their homes as a result of abuse allegations and have been placed in DCF custody. The multi-disciplinary team involves nurse practitioners, caseworkers, and psychologists who collaborate in the assessment of the children birth to 18 years of age. These assessments are provided within 72 hours after removal. The CPTAC assists DCF in determining appropriate and specific placement recommendations, and in identifying signs of cognitive, emotional, and behavioral deficits that may require further assessment and mental health intervention. The Assessment Center is funded by the Department of Children and Families to provide the following services:

Medical Evaluations

• Obtaining past medical history and immunization records
• History of any current illness or concern
• Complete physical exam (EPSDT)
• Routine labs as indicated
• Immunizations
• Vision and Hearing screening
• Treatment and minor illness and referral to specialist as needed
• Developmental screening
• Referrals to Intervention Programs for developmental delays
• Adolescent exams include GYN exams, as needed as well as counseling and education
• HIV Testing
• Physical Evaluations
• Psychological evaluations of children ages 3-18 who are alleged victims of physical abuse, sexual abuse and/or neglect.
• Clinical interviews of child
• Behavioral and affective observations
• Play observations
• Intellectual/cognitive testing
• Affect and self-esteem inventories
• Objective personality inventories
• Projective measures such as drawings, story-telling tasks
• Structured interviews (i.e., assessment of attachment, PTSD. etc.)
• Sibling interactions

TRANSPORTATION

• Transportation to and from the Assessment Center.
• Transportation to specialty clinics.
• Transportation to therapy appointments.
• Transportation of newborns.
• Assessment Center Goals

Goals of the CPTAC program include:

• To provide primary health care and immunizations within 72 hours of removal.
• To identify medical needs and make referrals for follow up care.
• To assess mental health status and recommend therapeutic needs.
• To assist DCF in determining the appropriate placement of every child.
• To minimize failed placements and reduce the length of stay in foster care.
• To identify educational strength and weaknesses.
• To provide follow up services for appointments to specialty clinics.
• To assist foster/shelter parents in obtaining WIC forms and school forms.
• To assist DCF in placement of children into Project Smile homes.

TRAINING
The Team provides ongoing training to community organizations regarding child
abuse and neglect prevention. [ Top ]

DIRECTIONS
Coming from the North: Take I-95 South to 836 West and exit NW
14 Street, take a right at traffic light and The Professional Arts Building
is at your right. Parking is immediately after passing the building.

Coming from the South: Take 826 North to 836 East, pass 17th Avenue Toll Plaza to Civic Center exit. Follow curve bridge, after bridge take a right and then an immediate left at the traffic light. Go straight and pass 12th Avenue and the Professional Arts Building is at your right. Parking is immediately after passing the building.

Coming from US1: Take I-95 North to 836 West and exit NW 12th Avenue, go to North to 14 Street and take a right. The Professional Arts Building is at your right. Parking is immediately after passing the building.



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