CAARE Center evaluations
The medical and case management professional staff members of the Child and Adolescent Abuse Resources and Evaluation Diagnostic Center (CAARE Center) at UC Davis Children's Hospital perform a wide range of evaluative services to help determine appropriate courses of action to help children who are subjected to sexual or physical abuse or neglect.
Clearance examinations
Clearance examinations are performed to screen children for potential detrimental effects following commission of a crime or in advance of their release from the custody of authorities.
For placement in foster care
The CAARE Center is asked to conduct examinations of children preparatory to their placement in foster care. CAARE Center pediatricians and nurse practitioners identify and document medical evidence of prior maltreatment as well as for existing conditions requiring medical treatment. UC Davis Children's Hospital administers recommended treatment upon the authorization of child protective services authorities.
For drug-endangered children
Children under the age of 18 who live in homes in which illegal drugs are manufactured, abused or within easy reach are considered drug-endangered children. At the request of law enforcement or child protective services officials, CAARE Center medical professionals perform toxicology tests.
Child abduction examinations
A child who is rescued from an abductor may be referred by a law enforcement officer or child protective services personnel to the CAARE Center for a forensic examination. In such cases, CAARE Center medical practitioners check for evidence of neglect or physical or sexual abuse.
For placement in foster care
The CAARE Center is asked to conduct examinations of children preparatory to their placement in foster care. CAARE Center pediatricians and nurse practitioners identify and document medical evidence of prior maltreatment as well as for existing conditions requiring medical treatment. UC Davis Children's Hospital administers recommended treatment upon the authorization of child protective services authorities.
For drug-endangered children
Children under the age of 18 who live in homes in which illegal drugs are manufactured, abused or within easy reach are considered drug-endangered children. At the request of law enforcement or child protective services officials, CAARE Center medical professionals perform toxicology tests.
Child abduction examinations
A child who is rescued from an abductor may be referred by a law enforcement officer or child protective services personnel to the CAARE Center for a forensic examination. In such cases, CAARE Center medical practitioners check for evidence of neglect or physical or sexual abuse.
Medical and evidentiary examinations
Medical and evidentiary examinations are intended to furnish detectives, social workers and legal prosecutors with evidence clearly distinguishing intentional from accidental or incidental injuries suffered by a child. The CAARE Center performs these examinations under contract with 30 Northern California law enforcement and child protective services agencies.
Physical abuse and neglect examinations
Children who are believed to be victims of abuse or neglect are given comprehensive medical and psychosocial evaluations and assigned to treatment as needed. Physically abused children requiring immediate medical care are admitted to the UC Davis Children's Hospital.
Acute child and adolescent sexual abuse examinations
If sexual abuse is reported within 72 hours of its occurrence, physicians and nurse practitioners are able to perform an “acute examination,” during which they collect and document physical evidence. The examinations, which must be performed promptly to avoid deterioration of evidence, are conducted in compliance with the California Medical Protocol for Examination of Sexual Assault and Child Sexual Abuse Victims.
Non-acute child sexual abuse examinations
If more than three days have elapsed since an incident, physicians perform a “non-acute medical forensic examination” in search of signs of healed injuries, evidence of sexually transmitted diseases or irregularities in genital structures resulting from chronic sexual abuse.
Physical abuse and neglect examinations
Children who are believed to be victims of abuse or neglect are given comprehensive medical and psychosocial evaluations and assigned to treatment as needed. Physically abused children requiring immediate medical care are admitted to the UC Davis Children's Hospital.
Acute child and adolescent sexual abuse examinations
If sexual abuse is reported within 72 hours of its occurrence, physicians and nurse practitioners are able to perform an “acute examination,” during which they collect and document physical evidence. The examinations, which must be performed promptly to avoid deterioration of evidence, are conducted in compliance with the California Medical Protocol for Examination of Sexual Assault and Child Sexual Abuse Victims.
Non-acute child sexual abuse examinations
If more than three days have elapsed since an incident, physicians perform a “non-acute medical forensic examination” in search of signs of healed injuries, evidence of sexually transmitted diseases or irregularities in genital structures resulting from chronic sexual abuse.