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When you bring your child in for a forensic interview or medical assessment...The Child Protection Response Center in Davenport, Iowa, is a non-profit agency that provides forensic interviewing services, medical assessments, behavioral assessments, and resources/referrals for children, adolescents, vulnerable adults, and their families. The safety and well-being of the children we serve is always our first priority. The CPRC is a safe and non-threatening environment where we listen to children, adolescents, and vulnerable adults who may have been abused and/or witnessed violence. The following information is to provide information to parents/caregivers in order to answer questions and/or prepare them and their children for the forensic interview process and/or medical assessment.
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How can parents /caregivers prepare individuals for
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• Parents/caregivers can explain that the Center is a safe place to talk about what happened. Let the individual to be interviewed know that many children, adolescents, and vulnerable adults come to the Center and it is okay to talk with the adults who work at the CPRC.
• Parents/caregivers should not question individuals before they come to the CPRC in order that the child, adolescent, or vulnerable adult does not get tired of answering questions before the actual interview begins as well as to ensure the integrity of the interview process. • Rather than asking questions, parents/caregivers can best provide support by listening and providing reassurance such as, “Thanks for telling me that;” “I’m proud that you told;” “It’s not your fault;” "I am always here to listen." |
What happens when families arrive at the CPRC? |
• During the intake phone call to the CPRC and/or at the Center, parents/caregivers will be given the opportunity to request the Child / Family Advocate meets with them while the child is being interviewed.
• The Child / Family Advocate will meet with parents/caregivers to explain the interview process and what is going to happen during the appointment. The advocate is also able to provide resource and referral information as needed (CPRC Child/Family Advocate: Rebecca Williams). • Interviews are conducted in a separate room; all interviews are videotaped and professionals involved in the investigation may observe the interview from another room. All individuals who are interviewed are made aware of the camera and any observers. • Parents/caregivers are NOT allowed to watch or be a part of the interview as they are not a part of any investigative process. All forensic interviewers are certified in forensic interviewing and are trained to work with various developmental ages and levels. • Following the interview, members of the investigative team and/or the forensic interviewer (Michele Mattox) may meet briefly with parents/caregivers to explain what they can about the investigation and answer questions about what will happen next. Please let staff know if you have any questions or concerns! • The length of interviews varies greatly depending on the age and developmental level of the individual being interviewed: families should plan to spend a minimum of an hour at the Center, although the process may be longer depending on outcomes. |
How can parents /caregivers expect if a medical assessment is scheduled? |
• A medical assessment by a specially trained trauma-based pediatrician (Dr. Barbara Harre) is likely to be scheduled at the Center; the medical assessment typically lasts one to one and a half hours; parents/caregivers may want to bring appropriate supplies for that timeframe (diapers, formula, snacks, etc.)
• During a medical assessment, the pediatrician will need to meet privately with the parent/caregiver; please be prepared to have an appropriate support person along to care for small children. The CPRC respects the privacy of all we serve. All information at the Center is treated respectfully and protected by state privacy laws. Regardless of the outcome, the process can be stressful for families. It is important for everyone to get the support they need; please contact the Center if we can be of help: 563/200-1102. |
Six things you can do to help your child after a trauma:
1. Let your children know they are safe. Younger children may need extra hugs (as well as your teens).
2 . Allow children to talk about their feelings and worries if they want to. Let them know that being a little scared and upset is normal. If they don’t want to talk, they could write a story or draw a picture.
3. Go back to everyday routines. Help your child get enough sleep, eat regularly, keep up with school, and spend time with friends.
4. Increase time with family and friends. Children who get extra support from family and friends seem to do better after upsetting events. Try reading, playing sports or games or watching a movie together.
5. Take time to deal with your own feelings. It will be harder to help your child if you are worried or upset. Talk about your feelings with other adults, such as family, friends, clergy, your doctor, or a counselor.
6. Keep in mind that people in the same family can react in different ways. Remember, your child’s feelings and worries might be different from yours. Brothers and sisters can feel upset too.
What should I expect after a trauma? In the first few days after a trauma, your child might feel confused, upset, jumpy or worried. This is normal! Most children just need a little extra time to feel better.
What are common changes in my child? After a trauma, changes you might notice are:
Young children: thumb sucking, bed wetting, clinging to parents, being afraid of the dark.
School age children: getting easily upset or angry, clinging to parents, nightmares, not paying attention, not wanting to go to school or play with friends.
Teens: changes in sleeping and eating, new problems in school, arguing with friends or family, complaining of feeling sick.
When and how should I get help for my child? If these changes do not clear up, seem to be getting worse, or there are other things that worry you, talk to your child’s doctor or school counselor to find out the best way to help your child and family.
2 . Allow children to talk about their feelings and worries if they want to. Let them know that being a little scared and upset is normal. If they don’t want to talk, they could write a story or draw a picture.
3. Go back to everyday routines. Help your child get enough sleep, eat regularly, keep up with school, and spend time with friends.
4. Increase time with family and friends. Children who get extra support from family and friends seem to do better after upsetting events. Try reading, playing sports or games or watching a movie together.
5. Take time to deal with your own feelings. It will be harder to help your child if you are worried or upset. Talk about your feelings with other adults, such as family, friends, clergy, your doctor, or a counselor.
6. Keep in mind that people in the same family can react in different ways. Remember, your child’s feelings and worries might be different from yours. Brothers and sisters can feel upset too.
What should I expect after a trauma? In the first few days after a trauma, your child might feel confused, upset, jumpy or worried. This is normal! Most children just need a little extra time to feel better.
What are common changes in my child? After a trauma, changes you might notice are:
Young children: thumb sucking, bed wetting, clinging to parents, being afraid of the dark.
School age children: getting easily upset or angry, clinging to parents, nightmares, not paying attention, not wanting to go to school or play with friends.
Teens: changes in sleeping and eating, new problems in school, arguing with friends or family, complaining of feeling sick.
When and how should I get help for my child? If these changes do not clear up, seem to be getting worse, or there are other things that worry you, talk to your child’s doctor or school counselor to find out the best way to help your child and family.
Other things parents have found helpful:
Do: Allow your child to talk about what happened, if he or she wants to.
Say: “A lot has happened. Is there anything you’re worried or confused about?”
Do: If your child doesn’t want to talk about what happened, encourage him or her to draw a picture or write a story about it.
Say: (To younger children) “Can you draw a picture about what happened and tell me a story about it?” (To teenage children) “Can you write a story about what happened and how you’re feeling?”
Do: Keep in mind that brothers and sisters could also feel upset or worried.
Say: “How are you doing? Is there anything you are worried about?”
Do: Keep up with regular meal and bed times for you child. If sleep is a problem for your child, try a bedtime story and a favorite stuffed animal for younger children, some quiet time and relaxing music for teens.
Say: (To younger children) “Let’s read your favorite book before going to bed.” (To teenage children) “How about listening to music that helps you relax?”
Do: Talk to another adult if you are feeling upset about what happened to your child. Also, talk to your child’s doctor if you are concerned about how he or she is dealing with the trauma.
Say: “I’m feeling a little overwhelmed. It would help to have someone to talk to.”
Taken from National Child Traumatic Stress Network
For more information about traumatic stress and your child, visit:
www.healthcaretoolbox.org
Say: “A lot has happened. Is there anything you’re worried or confused about?”
Do: If your child doesn’t want to talk about what happened, encourage him or her to draw a picture or write a story about it.
Say: (To younger children) “Can you draw a picture about what happened and tell me a story about it?” (To teenage children) “Can you write a story about what happened and how you’re feeling?”
Do: Keep in mind that brothers and sisters could also feel upset or worried.
Say: “How are you doing? Is there anything you are worried about?”
Do: Keep up with regular meal and bed times for you child. If sleep is a problem for your child, try a bedtime story and a favorite stuffed animal for younger children, some quiet time and relaxing music for teens.
Say: (To younger children) “Let’s read your favorite book before going to bed.” (To teenage children) “How about listening to music that helps you relax?”
Do: Talk to another adult if you are feeling upset about what happened to your child. Also, talk to your child’s doctor if you are concerned about how he or she is dealing with the trauma.
Say: “I’m feeling a little overwhelmed. It would help to have someone to talk to.”
Taken from National Child Traumatic Stress Network
For more information about traumatic stress and your child, visit:
www.healthcaretoolbox.org
