Registration is OPEN for the next CARE Provider Training
The CARE (child abuse review examination) Network is a state-funded program that develops and maintains a coordinated medical response to child abuse and neglect in Kansas. KAAP has partnered with KDHE, DCF and Board-Certified Child Abuse Pediatricians to:
- Provide annual training for physicians, advanced practice nurses, and physician assistants on the forensic evaluation and comprehensive medical care of children who may have suffered physical abuse or neglect.
- Provide mentorship, support, and ongoing education for a network of providers that take an active role in providing these services to children in their communities.
- Empower multidisciplinary team members to better recognize and respond to child abuse and neglect through education on injury mechanics/plausibility, sentinel injuries, and other medical aspects of child abuse and neglect.
What is a CARE Provider?
A CARE provider is a medical provider who has participated in the training provided by KAAP on child maltreatment, including recognition of abusive injuries and the medical evaluation for children when abuse is reported.
Who can become a CARE Provider?
Any physician, advanced practice nurse, or physician assistant in Kansas who is qualified to diagnose is eligible to become trained.
What is the mission of the CARE Network?
The primary mission of the CARE Network is to provide a thorough investigation of every report of child abuse and neglect, and access to quality and compassionate medical care.
How does the CARE network work?
The goal of the CARE network is to ensure that every reported case of suspected child abuse or neglect for children aged five and under, will be reviewed by a board-certified child abuse pediatrician, who will then make a recommendation for the DCF investigation. This review, recommend and refer system will provide a coordinated response to ensure every child has access to quality medical care.
Review
- CARE Medical Resource Centers (MRC) located at Children’s Mercy Hospital and KU Wichita Pediatrics are the leading experts in the state in Child Abuse Pediatrics and set the standard of care for the CARE program. Board Certified Child Abuse Pediatricians from the MRC provide all of our training and serve as mentors to new CARE providers.
- Any time there is a reported case of abuse or neglect, of a child aged five and under, filed with DCF, a Board-Certified Child Abuse Pediatrician will review the case file.
Recommend
After the case review, the MRC will provide DCF with a recommendation for the next steps for the case.
Refer
If the MRC recommends that the child receive a CARE exam, DCF will utilize the CARE network to find a provider within the child’s local community.
Training
The next CARE Provider training will be on September 21 and 22, 2023 in Wichita. Looks for details and registration soon.
Interested in becoming a CARE provider? Contact Denae Hart, CARE Program Manager at denae.hart@kansasaap.org.
