Child Protection Program

The Child Protection Program (CPP) Clinic is the outpatient clinical service providing medical evaluations of children and adolescents for possible sexual abuse, physical abuse or neglect. The CPP Clinic is staffed by a team of physicians, nurses, social workers and advocates.

• We take a history as to why your child was referred to our CPP clinic, as well as a medical history from the parent or caretaker.
• We perform complete physical examinations, including of the anal and genital areas.
• We may use special equipment called a colposcope to better visualize the anal and genital areas.
• We may talk with your child alone, usually briefly.
• Our social workers may discuss a plan for counseling.
• We test for sexually transmitted infections and do pregnancy testing, if indicated.

• We do not do “internal" or invasive exams of children.
• We generally do not do full, comprehensive interviews of children. However, we do work closely with child welfare and law enforcement investigators and the district attorney’s office to ensure that all children and families receive any needed services. The Child Advocacy Center of Worcester County, located at the district attorney’s office, is often used to conduct forensic interviews and to provide service planning.

There are two ways to schedule an appointment with the CPP Clinic:

• Call 774-442-6629.
• Call 1-855-UMASS-MD and ask to be connected to the CPP Clinic scheduler

During your call, you will be asked to provide the following information:

• Registration information: If your child has never been to UMass Memorial, registration information will help create a medical record for him or her. If your child has been to the Medical Center, it’s important to make sure registration information is up to date.
• Insurance information: Insurance information is vital in order to make sure your child can be seen when you get here and to make sure the cost of the visit is covered by your insurance. If your insurance requires a referral or if there are any other special instructions, the scheduler will let you know. In some cases, the cost of your visit may be able to be covered by Victim Compensation (financial assistance for victims of crime in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts). This option will be discussed with you during your visit (if applicable).
• Reason for appointment: The information you give helps the CPP clinic team provide the best care for your child when you arrive and to determine if there’s any additional information that would be helpful to gather before your scheduled visit.

• Insurance card(s)
• Copayment for your insurance, if applicable
• Referrals or authorizations from your child’s primary care doctor, if applicable
• Medical records, such as X-rays or lab tests, if applicable
• Proof of guardianship or court involvement, such as custody papers (if you are not the child’s parent)
• Emergency contact information
• Names, addresses and telephone numbers of investigative agencies involved
• List of your child’s medical diagnoses or medications, if applicable
• Another adult to support you and your child or to sit with your child while you speak to the CPP team
   

When you arrive at the CPP Clinic you will have a chance to speak with the doctor(s) and the social worker alone in order to review the reason you were referred to us and the concerns you have about what may have happened to your child. This may be based on what you have heard, seen or been told by either your child or someone else. We have this discussion without your child present so that we can speak more freely. We will also review your child’s medical information at this time.

Depending on your child’s specific circumstances and his or her age, we may want to briefly speak with him or her alone in order to learn about what may have happened and to address any concerns your child may have about his or her safety or body. We will also make sure your child understands that he or she will have a physical exam and what it will entail. You can be present for the exam, unless you have an older child or adolescent who has indicated that he or she prefers to be alone for the examination.

After the exam, we will review the outcome and significance of the physical examination and all of the other information gathered during your child’s visit. We will discuss if there are any other medical tests or exams to complete, such as lab testing. X-rays or follow- up exams. We will also talk about what other steps need to be taken, such as reports to be made or referrals to other services.

Depending on the reason for your child’s visit, we may speak with you and your child to assist with specific treatment referrals.
 

A parent/guardian can be in the room with his/her child if the child is young and/or prefers your presence during the exam. A complete, head-to-toe physical examination is performed.

When examining females, the doctor will shine a light/camera instrument called a colposcope at the genital area. We look at the vaginal opening, and the exam may be recorded and kept securely in her private medical record. During the exam, we don’t routinely place anything inside the vagina. Examination of the anus is also completed during this part of the examination.

When examining males, the doctor will examine the penis as well as both testicles to be sure both are present in the scrotum and are normal. Examination of the anus is also completed during this part of the examination. We record your child’s exam and keep this securely in his private medical record.

Before coming to the CPP clinic, you should let your child know that you will be taking him/her to the doctor for a medical check-up. You can assist your child by stating that this is a check-up similar to a regular check-up with his/her primary care provider except that this will also include some additional attention to the private areas of the body.

There is no pain associated with the medical check-up, and no shots are given in the clinic. However, your doctor may recommend further urine or blood testing after your child’s visit, which can be completed at UMass Memorial or with your own pediatrician. Your doctor will discuss this with you and your child.

We request that you do not ask your child any further questions about the incident. However, listen if he/she chooses to talk, and let us know what your child shared with you about the incident and any worries your child has.

We will ask you to sign medical information release forms, which give us permission to update your physician and child protective services about your child’s appointment in the CPP clinic. If we need to make a report to the authorities, such as the Department of Children and Families or the police, in order to begin an investigation, we will inform you.

If there is anyone else, such as a counselor, that you believe needs to have information about what happened during your visit, tell us so we can have you complete the forms required.