Beaumont Children's has long recognized the importance of a
multidisciplinary response to the problem of child maltreatment. By
forming the Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect (SCAN) Team in 1980, the
physicians and staff at Beaumont Children's expressed a
commitment to protect the children in our communities and to fulfill the
requirements of the Michigan Child Protection Law. In 1995 the team
name was changed to the Child Advocacy and Protection team (CAP) to
reflect a broader mission - advocating on behalf of all children.
Experts from many backgrounds contribute to comprehensive evaluations
and individual action plans. Child Advocacy and Protection services
provided on behalf of children from newborns to 18 years of age include:
- medical consultations with physicians and other health care professionals
- specialized medical evaluation and documentation requested by
parents, health care professionals, Children's Protective Services, law
enforcement or the court system
- referrals to community agencies and services
- education and training about child welfare issues for health care
professionals, child welfare workers and people in the community
- participation in child abuse and neglect prevention programs
The CAP team members participate in many professional and community
organizations, and team coordinator Linda Caurdy-Bess, LMSW has been
honored with the Lisa Putnam Excellence in Child Welfare Award. In April
team members observe Child Abuse Prevention Month by recognizing
Children's Protective Services employees who work in the community.
Beaumont, in collaboration with Defender Association, Inc., offers Legal Aid for Children as well.