Child Medical Evaluation Program: a statewide system for the medical and mental health evaluation of abused and neglected children.
The Child Medical Evaluation Program examines 1500 children per year suspected by county social service departments of having subtle physical evidence of abuse or neglect. The program utilizes private practitioners, primarily pediatricians, in a systematic manner and provides consultation, direction, and quality control. The system is a unique, cooperative effort between private practitioners and county departments of social service. It is administered from a state university department of pediatrics. The cost is low, government involvement minimal, and the service extensive. The system is recommended to other states.
D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D002669:Child Welfare; D003334:Coroners and Medical Examiners; D006801:Humans; D009657:North Carolina; D010372:Pediatrics; D012947:Social Work