The Child Protection Team (CPT) started providing services in 1981 and currently serves the four counties of Lee, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades. The Child Protection Team provides crisis intervention on a 24 hour basis, forensic interviews of victims of abuse or violent crimes, psychosocial family assessments, multidisciplinary staffings, case consultation, psychological evaluations, expert court testimony and medical examinations and evaluations through a multidisciplinary team approach. CPT works closely with law enforcement, the State Attorney and the Department of Children and Families.

This is how the process works. A call is made to the child abuse hotline. A call is then made to the Department of Children and Families who will dispatch an investigator and possibly law enforcement. If there are indications of abuse a referral is made to the Child Protection Team and an appointment is made to come to the agency.

Children's Advocacy Center will determine what services should occur and could range from a forensic interview, medical examination and evaluation, psychological evaluation, social histories and counseling referrals. Following these services a recommendation will be made to the Department of Children and Families and law enforcement (if involved) who will then determine next steps.

The next steps could result in court appearances, arrest, court ordered counseling and children may then be placed in protective supervision and/or foster care. If law enforcement is not involved voluntary services, parenting classes and counseling may be suggested.

Child Protection Team Medical Services

The CPT medical staff provides medical assessments and are part of the multidisciplinary team approach every child is entitled to when referred to CPT. The medical team is comprised of Dr. Myrian Alea, CPT Medial Director and nurse practitioners, Susan Sherman and Kathy Mahan.

The medical assessments take place in our nonthreatening, child friendly medical clinic. The two exam rooms are decorated in bright, cheerful colors with a playful atmosphere. There are separate waiting areas with toys for the children and books and magazines for the family. Each medical assessment takes about one hour.

Children who need a medical assessment have suffered some type of abuse, physical, sexual or emotional. Other children may have suffered from neglect, medical neglect or malnutrition. Some children are examined when there are concerns the child may be living in an atmosphere that may be threatening to their well-being and health.

The goal of the comprehensive medical asessment is to detect, diagnose, document and treat any injuries or conditions that have resulted from abuse or neglect. A medical assessment includes a complete medical history, thorough physical examination, developmental screening, diagnosis, treatment as appropriate and referrals for continuing care and counseling. Each child is treated with respect and care. The child's development level guides our approach to the examination. The medical assessment proceeds at the child's comfort level - no child is ever forced to have a physical examination.

The CPT medical staff is available 24 hours a day to provide care whenever a child is in need of these specialized services.

If you know or suspect that a child is being abused, sexually, physically or mentally, please contact the Abuse Hotline at 332-2822.