Advocacy

Advocacy in the field of child abuse and neglect is dependent on providing an unbiased, evidence-based, state-of-the-art medical assessment for children referred for evaluation. Assessment conclusions and recommendations must be reliable in order for children to receive appropriate treatment and services. Reliable conclusions help assure the child’s safety as well as promote the integrity of the family.

 

Medical advocacy includes having knowledge of and appropriate response to mandated reporting statutes. Additionally, advocacy includes promoting community support for needed child abuse/neglect services and resources, state support for child abuse/neglect educational and funding initiatives, and national support for efforts in promoting child abuse/neglect research, quality assurance and standards of care.