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Medical Services for Abused Children: Continue Funding for the South Carolina Children's Advocacy Medical Response System
Background
In 2003, the South Carolina Children's Hospital Collaborative and the South Carolina Network of Children's Advocacy Centers formed an alliance to address a critical shortage of forensic medical services for children. As a result of this alliance, a 3-year grant from The Duke Endowment was obtained and utilized to develop the South Carolina Children's Advocacy Medical Response System. (SCCAMRS) SCCAMRS has the following objectives:
- Improve the quality and consistency of forensic medical services to children who are suspected or confirmed victims of child abuse or neglect.
- Increase the number of qualified forensic medical examiners in the state, and
- Provide forensic medical resources to medical providers, agencies, and other organizations involved in the investigation and prosecution of child abuse and neglect. These resources include, but are not limited to; training programs, provider qualifications, clinical guidelines, assessment tools, directory of services, quality assurance programs, and other resources.
In 2007, the South Carolina General Assembly directed SC DHHS, the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, to establish a coordinated program to address the medical needs of children who are suspected victims of child abuse or neglect. SCCAMRS, a program managed by the University of South Carolina, Department of Pediatrics, is contracted with SC DHHS to provide this coordinated program. Funding has been requested from SC DHHS for the 2008-2009 fiscal year.
Links
South Carolina Children's Advocacy Medical Response System
Child Abuse & Neglect: South Carolina Statistics (PDF)
Before SCCAMRS and After: Accomplishments to Date (PDF)
South Carolina Network of Children's Advocacy Centers
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