Services

Forensic Medical Evaluations

When a child has suspected abuse, a medical examination is sometimes necessary to evaluate medical problems related to the suspected abuse and document the health of the body. At CHIPS, these examinations are conducted in a safe and nurturing environment designed to promote health and healing. A nurse spends time with each child explaining the "check-up" and discussing any concerns, and also meets with the child's caregivers to gather information, answer questions, and provides a follow-up plan after the exam with the doctor present. Under no circumstances is any child ever forced to undergo an examination.

Support Services

A CHIPS Licensed Social Worker is available to meet with caregivers to assess the family's needs, identify resources, make referrals and provide on-going support services as necessary.

Counseling

At CHIPS, a licensed professional counselor provides free counseling to children who have experienced suspected abuse and their families who have been impacted by suspected abuse. CHIPS professional counselors are trained in a variety of trauma informed treatment modalities including play therapy, Trauma Focused -Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), attachment therapies, somatic and mindful based treatments, and prevention education. CHIPS also assist professionals and families with counseling referrals to other resources and agencies when the need is outside of CHIPS local area or due to need for a different scope of practice.

Prevention Education

This service may consist of presentations to people and organizations out in the community. This service may also consist of group or individual sessions at the CHIPS Center. This service is designed to reach all age groups.

Note: Effective February 29, 2016, the physician services for forensic medical examinations conducted at the CHIPS Center (Children’s Hospital Intervention and Prevention Services) will be billed to Medicaid/Private Insurances. Billing for services outside of the CHIPS Center for laboratory, radiology etc. may also incur since these services are not provided within the CHIPS Center.

It is the mission of the CHIPS Center to promote hope, healing, intervention and prevention of child abuse.

CHIPS Center serves children, families and communities affected by child maltreatment regardless of ability to pay for services provided by the CHIPS Center.

Counseling and Prevention Services will continue to be free of charge.

Please contact 205-638-2751 to discuss CHIPS services with a CHIPS Team member.

Please note CHIPS can provide an interpreter upon request. You may contact Language Services at 205-638-9191.

If you have an emergency, please go to your local emergency department or call 911. You may also call the Crisis Center at 205-323-7777 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 988 press 2 for Spanish.