Protocol for Post Conference Following

PROTOCOL FOR POST CONFERENCE FOLLOWING

CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE EXAMINATIONS AT ARCH

Purpose:

To provide patients and families with information regarding results of the sexual abuse examination and to provide effective crisis intervention to patients and families as needed.

Goals:

1. To insure that patient/family understand the results of the sexual abuse examination and the significance.

1. To insure that patient/family understand any medical follow-up that is needed.

1. To insure that patient/family understand the role of DCFS, FPD, and/or law enforcement in their case.

1. To review behavioral symptoms and family social problems and assess patient/family's needs accordingly (utilizing the ARCH Child Behavior Questionnaire)

1. To provide counseling resources as needed.

1. To provide effective crisis intervention, if needed. This is to be accomplished by:

1. Helping to relieve symptoms of family stress
2. Working to restore the family to optimal pre-crisis levels of functioning.
3. Identifying and understanding the relevant precipitation of event(s).
4. Identifying remedial measures that the family can take or that community resources can provide to remedy the crisis situation
5. Initiating the family's development of new ways of perceiving, thinking, feeling, and objectively copy responses for future use

Procedures:

1. MD/RNP and ACH social worker will meet with patient and family in one of the family interview rooms.

1. MD and/or RNP will explain the results of the sexual abuse examination (including general, genital, and anal findings), and their significance.

1. MD or RNP will explain recommendations for any medical follow-up needed.

1. Patient/family is encouraged to ask questions until they fully understand the information relayed to them.

1. Patient/family is provided an information booklet on sexual abuse and contents of the booklet are reviewed by the MD and/or RNP or the ACH social worker, as appropriate.

1. MD or RNP along with ACH social worker will explain the role of DCFS, FPD, and/or law enforcement in reference to the alleged perpetrator.

1. MD or RNP will review the ARCH Child Behavioral Questionnaire form with the guardian and discuss any family social concerns, which may add stress to the current situation.

1. The family's strengths and needs are assessed and focus is placed on strengths to help improve self-esteem of the family members. The MD, RNP, and the ACH social worker help families to "problem-solve".

1. MD or RNP, and/or ACH social worker will discuss any counseling needs for patient and/or family and make the appropriate referrals.

1. If patient needs immediate psychiatric evaluation, a psychiatric consult for evaluation for possible inpatient admission will be obtained.

1. If crisis intervention is needed, the TCAR staff will begin by allowing patient and family to express their feelings about the incident or current family situation while he/she listens carefully.

1. The discussion will then focus on the family perceptions of the situation, what led to the crisis, and how the family has dealt with it.

1. Potential financial resources such as Crime Victims Reparations will be discussed.

Rev. 9/02