#10 Child Abuse and Neglect

Thomas Bauman, Lauren Chinnery, Olivia Lust, Janie Pierce, Bailey Walker
University of North Texas Health Science Center, Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine
INTRODUCTION
According to Chapter 261 of the Family Code
(recodified in 1995), child abuse is an act or
omission that endangers or impairs a childs
physical, mental or emotional health and
development. Child abuse may take the form
of physical or emotional injury, sexual abuse,
sexual exploitation, physical neglect, medical
neglect, or inadequate supervision.
Higher rates of abuse are reported in white
and Hispanic families with single, young
parents. In a vast majority of confirmed child
abuse cases, the perpetrator was the childs
parent.

REFERENCES
ACH Children and Family Services. Retrieved from
http://www.achservices.org
Alliance for Children. Retrieved from http://www.allianceforchildren.org
CASA for Children. Retrieved from http://www.speakupforachild.org
CPS Annual Report 2012. Retrieved from
https://www.dfps.state.tx.us/documents/about/Data_Books_and_Annual_
Reports/2012/5CPSAll.pdf
Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. Retrieved from
http://www.dfps.state.tx.us
The Womens Center. Retrieved from http://www.womenscentertc.org

RESOURCES

Community Resources Available and Services Provided

Womens Center of Tarrant County
Play it safe- child abuse prevention
educational program for ages 4-18. It
incorporates age-appropriate DVDs and a
script to teach children how to reduce their risk
of sexual abuse/assault. It teaches them to
identify abusive behavior, provides the tools
they need to be safe including actions to take
in threatening situations, and gives them a
safe environment to disclose abuse
All Church Home
Hotline
Assessment
Adoption
Crisis Intervention Counseling
Families Together (parent-child transitional
housing)
Foster care
After School Safety Services
Child Protective Services (CPS)
Investigate reports of neglect and child abuse
Family Based Safety - Services designed to
maintain children safely in their homes or make
it possible for children to return home. Their
services include family counseling, crisis
intervention, substance abuse treatment,
domestic violence intervention, and day care.
Placing children in Foster care
Transitional Living - Available to youth ages 14
to 23.
Placing children in Adoption

Eligibility and Access

Alliance for Children

Forensic interviewing - structured interview
conducted by a member of Alliance For
Children's Child Forensic Interview Team,
who are experts in speaking with
traumatized children.
Family Advocate - help families with
children that are confirmed victims of either
physical or sexual abuse that can benefit
from additional case management and/or
counseling services, but do not qualify for
continued services from CPS
Counseling for child victims
Therapy Dogs

All resources listed have:

-No restrictions or qualifications on educational
and interventional services
-Foster and transitional care require confirmed
reports of abuse by CPS
-CASA requires the child must be a ward of the
court

CASA for Children of Tarrant County

Court Appointed Special Advocates community volunteer advocates for victims
of child abuse; provides more information
for the courts about the childs
circumstances
Only constant ongoing relationship in an
abused childs life

Limitations:
-Parent cooperation
-Childrens lack of knowledge and access to
resources
-Lack of volunteers
-Finite resources with possible waiting lists or a
priority system that determines wait for response

Cost:
- Womens Center and All Church Home offer
both free services and paid services on a caseby-case sliding scale.
- CPS, CASA, and Alliance for Children services
are free of charge

How to Access services:

Womens Center Play it Safe 817.927.4039;
visiting either center
All Church Home 817.335.HOPE (4673)
CPS 800.252.5400;
https://www.txabusehotline.org
Alliance for Children 817.335.7172;
http://www.allianceforchildren.org/
CASA for Children 817.877.5891
www.speakupforachild.org