TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Department of Health joins agencies and organizations across the country in recognizing April as Child Abuse Prevention Month.

“Child abuse and neglect is an issue that involves all Floridians,” said Deputy Secretary of Health for Children’s Medical Services (CMS), Joseph J. Chiaro, M.D.  “This is a time for everyone to realize their part in creating a statewide environment where children are nurtured, supported, and safe.”

The Department of Health recognizes that members of the medical field have a critical role to play in the identification and prevention of child abuse.  Physicians and other healthcare service providers are uniquely qualified to notice even the smallest physical or mental changes in a child.  This vigilance leads to earlier detection and reporting of potential abuse cases.  Additionally, research shows that childhood abuse has the potential for major health impacts through adulthood, making the role of the physician even more critical to ensuring the development of healthy adults.

Through CMS and other agency divisions, DOH is demonstrating our commitment to the prevention of child abuse, abandonment and neglect.  The CMS Child Protection Teams provide multidisciplinary assessment services to children and families involved in child abuse and neglect investigations.  They conduct medical evaluations, provide diagnosis, medical consultations, nursing assessments, forensic and specialized interviews, family psychosocial assessments, psychological evaluations, and provide a variety of child abuse and neglect training for family members and professionals. 

Child Abuse Prevention Month was initially proclaimed in 1982 by President Ronald Regan.  The symbol of child abuse awareness is the blue ribbon.  Originating in Virginia in 1989, a grandmother of a three-year-old boy who died from his mother’s abusive boyfriend tied a blue ribbon to her van as a symbol of her personal commitment to the prevention of child abuse.   This month, child abuse prevention materials will be available at Child Protection Team offices and County Health Departments across the state.  Additionally, Secretary François will participate in the Prevent Child Abuse Florida’s Child Abuse Prevention Month press conference at 10:00 on Tuesday, April 4, in the Capitol Courtyard. 

For more information, visit the DOH web site at www.doh.state.fl.us and select Children’s Medical Services from the drop down menu or visit www.cms-kids.com. 

Written by :

westmark

 

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