April is Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month. Did you know that YKHC has a Child Maltreatment Team (CMT) dedicated to helping staff navigate the difficulties of providing care to children who may be victims of abuse? If you have concerns about a child in your care, you can Tiger Text “Child Abuse-Consult” for support.

The CMT not only provides internal support to staff, but also uses their specialized training to provide medical and mental health care to children in the YK-Delta. Housed primarily out of the Children’s Advocacy Center within the Tundra Women’s Coalition, CMT staff provide well child checks, sexual assault examinations, forensic interviews, and other specialized care to children and teens in need of assistance.

While our team is happy to assist staff, please note that contacting the CMT does not satisfy mandatory reporting requirements. If you suspect that a child is being harmed or neglected, you are required to report this! The CMT recommends reporting to both the Office of Children’s Services and the appropriate law enforcement entity. For abuse suspected to be occurring in a village, that would mean reporting to the Alaska State Troopers whereas suspected abuse occurring in Bethel should be reported to the Bethel Police Department.

Recommendations for your FIRST response to allegations of child maltreatment:

         F – Find a safe location to talk to the child privately without any other individuals within earshot

         I – Identify your concerns with the child (ex: I am concerned about your safety)

         R – Build rapport with the child so they feel comfortable

         S – Seek appropriate details (Who, what, when, and where)

         T – Tell the appropriate authorities (OCS, AST, BPD, etc.)

If you have any questions on what to report, how to respond, or need medical advice for a child in your care, please reach out to the Child Maltreatment Team and we will be happy to assist!