Children’s Advocacy Centers or “CACs” were developed in
Kentucky to be the designated agency to provide or coordinate the provision of
specialized medical examinations to children due to concerns of sexual abuse.
The Barren River Area Child Advocacy Center is equipped with an on-site,
child-friendly Medical Unit to provide comprehensive medical examinations for
children when there are concerns of sexual abuse.
Pediatricians and family physicians who are trained in the medical
examination, diagnosis and treatment of child sexual abuse voluntarily work with
the Center to conduct the child-friendly examinations and collect
and document evidence of abuse whenever necessary. The Center’s therapist also meets with the child and
non-offending family caregivers during the medical examination process to
complete a mental health screening and promptly coordinate counseling and
treatment services whenever needed.
The
Center’s medical staff then works closely with assigned law enforcement
investigators, child protection workers and prosecuting attorneys to quickly
share the results of the medical examination to help ensure the child’s safety
from further harm. Non-offending
parents and/or caregivers meet with the physician after the examination to
discuss the results and any medical follow up that may be needed.
The
Barren River Area Child Advocacy Center is a HIPAA compliant agency, and all
services provided by the Center are strictly confidential and protected by law.
Goal:
The goal of the Center’s Medical Unit is to work closely with the members of
the assigned Multidisciplinary Team to make well-informed decisions regarding
the need for and the provision of specialized medical examinations of children
when there are concerns of sexual abuse. It
is the Center’s ultimate goal to minimize any additional trauma to a child by
minimizing unnecessary and repeat examinations.
While physicians who are specially trained in the medical diagnosis
and treatment of child sexual abuse recommend alleged child victims receive a
medical examination at the earliest opportunity, most examinations are not
“acute” situations and can be scheduled during the Center’s regular clinic
days.
Services:
The Center’s Medical Unit
provides the following services:
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Private family waiting areas;
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Child-friendly examination room;
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Comprehensive child sexual abuse medical examinations
of child victims, including forensic evidence collections kits whenever
determined necessary;
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On and off-site lab and diagnostic tests;
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Sexually Transmitted Disease (or “STD’s”) screening and
treatment, as determined necessary;
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Consultation and coordinated referrals for children who are
pregnant;
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Referrals and scheduled follow up for all recommended medical and
mental health treatment;
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Consultation and assistance with other physicians and medical
professionals in the Barren River Area.
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Coordinated referrals and services through the assigned
Multidisciplinary Team professionals;
Physicians: The Center’s Medical Unit
is staffed by pediatricians and family physicians who have received specialized
training on the medical evaluation and treatment of child sexual abuse.
They provide quality, on-site medical examinations for children at the
Center regardless of an ability to pay.
Because
the Center’s physicians provide these examinations at the Center on a
volunteer basis, their only contact with the children is through the Center.
They do not provide these
examinations at their private practice clinics. They
also do not maintain records or discuss BRACAC cases through their private
practice clinics.
While the Center provides specialized
comprehensive child sexual abuse medical examinations to victims of child sexual
abuse regardless of an ability to pay, it
does attempt to bill Medicaid and private health insurance carriers whenever
possible to help support the mission and provision of medical services provided
at the Center. Non-offending parents and/or caregivers are never charged or “billed” for medical services provided by the
Center.
Referrals
& Scheduling: The Center works closely with and receives referrals routinely
from:
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Physicians
and Medical Professionals;
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Law
enforcement and Child Protection Workers; and
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Concerned
parents and caregivers.
To
schedule an examination for a child, call the Center at (270) 783-4357.
The Center is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Monday
through Friday. Medical
Examinations are scheduled on a regular and acute basis, as determined
appropriate.
Physicians
and medical professionals may make a referral directly to the Center; however,
the referral to the Center does not
meet the requirement for mandated reporting of abuse to the Department
for Community Based Services/Health & Family Services Cabinet and local law
enforcement. Center staff will
gladly assist other medical professionals with the reporting process and provide
them with the necessary contact information.