On-Demand: Child Abuse Identification is an Interdisciplinary Process Coordinated by the Social Worker

Description:
The psychosocial assessment and interdisciplinary team discussions are processes that are key to the immediate safety of all children who present to pediatric hospitals for assessment and treatment of injuries and disclosures concerning for violence. The Psychosocial Assessment Screening Tool (PAST) is a comprehensive tool that provides insight into the key elements of children’s living environments and the social risk factors that are linked to harmful living and community environments interfering with healthy development. The prevention of the commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) often begins by asking children and caregivers questions about the children’s living environment, history of injury and disclosures and risk factors the first time the children present with injuries concerning for violence. This presentation will discuss how the PAST has been used to identify victims of CSEC and recommend interventions.

Learning Objectives:

• Review the combined medical and social identifiers of human trafficking
• Review the Psychosocial Assessment Screening Tool (PAST)
• Review Interdisciplinary Team Process
• Review Real Time Interventions and Resources

About the Presenter:
Sheila Hickey is a licensed clinical social worker who is employed at the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago as the social work clinical coordinator for the Emergency Department and Protective Services Team. She along with social workers from six pediatric hospitals was invited to participate in the development and standardization of an evidenced based psychosocial assessment. The Social Work Leadership team at Lurie Children’s Hospital then standardized the use of this psychosocial assessment to be conducted with all children where there is concern for the presence of violence.