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The lack of medical expertise in the evaluation of child abuse and neglect in some Maryland counties is significant, even though others are being well served. In 2006, former Governor Robert Ehrlich signed legislation authorizing the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to help develop a statewide network of health care professionals to fill this gap (MD Code, Health -- General. 13-2201).
The Maryland CHAMP program aims to ensure that children who are possible victims of child maltreatment receive optimal evaluations and care through the development of a statewide network of health care professionals with expertise in child maltreatment. These professionals should be valuable resources to their counties/regions, providing medical consultation to Child Protective Services (CPS), law enforcement, the state's attorney's office, as well as pediatricians and other professionals. CHAMP professionals should also help bolster community prevention efforts and provide training.
The Maryland CHAMP program is directed by Howard Dubowitz, MD, MS, professor of Pediatrics at the University of Maryland Medical Center. Other faculty include:
Current physicians participating in CHAMP include:
Additional counties served include Howard County (Dr. Lane), Baltimore County (Dr. Lane), and Anne Arundel County (Dr. Dubowitz).
In addition to the CHAMP physicians, there are also a good number of Forensic Nurse Examiners -- Pediatrics (FNE-Ps) participating in training sessions and peer review.
CHAMP works collaboratively with public agencies, particularly child advocacy centers (CACs), to build upon existing structures. CHAMP faculty recruit, train, and provide ongoing consultation and training to physicians who become local experts. CHAMP activities include clinical forensic services, training, and court testimony. Though its initial focus has been on sexual abuse, CHAMP plans to address physical abuse and neglect, as well as prevention, in the near future.
The CHAMP program pays for physician training, ongoing work, and equipment. Faculty provide 24/7 backup, and review all consultations to ensure continuous quality improvement. Three times a year, we hold half-day training sessions at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. These trainings are open to all CHAMP physicians and interested FNE-Ps.
Most families are referred to CHAMP physicians from other public agencies, particularly CPS and law enforcement.
CHAMP physicians can:
We wish to engage with all Maryland physicians and forensic nurse examiners (FNE-Ps) interested in working in the field of child maltreatment. If you're interested, please contact Howard Dubowitz, MD, MS at (410)706-6144 or hdubowitz@peds.umaryland.edu.
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