Skip to main content
Sign In

Resources For: Prospective Students | Current Students | Parents | Faculty & Staff | Alumni & Friends | Patients

  • Home
    • >
  • Clinical Services
 

Kempe Center - Clinical Services

Pediatric Section of Child Abuse and Neglect
 

Since its inception, The Kempe Center has provided services to children and families that have experienced child abuse or neglect.  Often these services were developed or proven effective through research done at The Kempe Center.   As more effective treatments were developed, the types of services that we provide has changed. Currently The Kempe Center offers a variety of medical and behavioral health clinical services to help children and families deal with the consequences of abuse and neglect. 

 

CHILD PROTECTION TEAM

The Child Protection Team provides comprehensive medical evaluations in our weekly outpatient clinic and through inpatient and emergency department consultations at Children's Hospital Colorado. Children's offers the only hospital-based multidisciplinary child abuse program in Colorado. We proudly meet the designation criteria of Children’s Hospital Association (CHA) as a Child Abuse Center of Excellence.

Our department’s physicians are among the first in the country - and among the only ones in Colorado -  to be board-certified in the field of Child Abuse Pediatrics by the American Board of Pediatrics.

 

Family and child evaluation for suspected maltreatment includes family support and education about the behavioral and emotional impact of child maltreatment. Best practice care and treatment is offered in the most sensitive and family centered manner.

  

Multidisciplinary Child Protection and Advocacy

More than 30 years ago, Children's Hospital Colorado formed its very own active child advocacy team to comply with mandatory reporting laws and provide a coordinated approach to evaluation and treatment for children. This team later combined with the 1958- established University of Colorado Kempe Center child protection team during the affiliation of our pediatric programs.

Over time, our role has greatly expanded. Today, families, human services and law enforcement agencies, healthcare professionals and educators throughout the entire Rocky Mountain region turn to the only hospital-based multidisciplinary child protection team in Colorado for consultation and support. Child abuse medical services provided by CPT are a vital part of the center’s mission to improve the health of children. Our team's goals are to:

 

  • Ensure the health and safety of every child and family that visits the hospital or our Network of Care
  • Help families when child abuse, neglect or domestic violence concerns are identified
  • Provide the best practice care and treatment in the most sensitive manner
  • Educate hospital staff, community healthcare providers and child welfare professionals
  • Advocate locally and nationally with our community partners for the prevention of child abuse and neglect

 

Services Provided

The Child Protection Team provides comprehensive medical evaluations in our weekly outpatient clinic and through inpatient and emergency department consultations at Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora. Our services include:

  • Comprehensive medical evaluations in our weekly child protection team clinic
  • Family and child evaluation for suspected maltreatment
  • Family support, including education about the behavioral and emotional impact of child maltreatment
  • Inpatient, outpatient and emergency department consultations
  • Individual therapy for children with licensed clinical psychologist and referrals for therapy in the community and at The Kempe Center
  • Expert testimony in juvenile and criminal courts
  • Education and training for hospital and community providers on child abuse and neglect issues
  • Coordination of care with primary care physicians
  • Coordination of care with the Emergency Department, Trauma Program and Clinical Social Work Department 


Problems Diagnosed and Treated

Suspected or confirmed child abuse or neglect, including: 

  • Abusive head trauma
  • Emotional abuse
  • Factitious disorder by proxy
  • Failure to thrive
  • Maltreatment
  • Medical neglect
  • Neglect
  • Physical abuse
  • Sexual abuse
  • Sexual assault (rape)

For more information, please also visit our Web site at Children's Hospital Colorado.

To schedule an appointment or request a consultation with us, please call 720-777-6919.

 


Faculty:

  • Andrew Sirotnak, MD, FAAP
  • Denise C. Abdoo, RN, MSN, cPNP
  • Antonia Chiesa, MD, FAAP - Pediatrician
  • Curtis Rashaan Ford, MD - Child Abuse Pediatrics Berger Endowed Fellow
  • Lisa Justis, LCSW, CTS - Social work coordinator
  • Michele Kelly, PsyD - Psychologist
  • Cindy Tanner - Child Health Associate, Physician Assistant
  • Kathryn Wells, MD, FAAP (Denver Health Faculty)
  • Des Runyan, MD DrPH

Go to the About Us page to learn more about The Kempe Center and read our Mission.

 

​

PLEASE CALL 303-864-5200 TO MAKE A REFERRAL OR GET MORE INFORMATION

The IMHOFF Clinic

The IMHOFF Clinic provides behavioral health treatment to children and families who are dealing with the mental health consequences of child abuse or neglect.  The clinic serves children and families that have experienced a difficult life event such as physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, or a traumatic loss.  These events can lead to anxiety, depression, behavior problems, school difficulties or other behavioral health needs.


The Behavioral Health Consequences of Child Abuse and Neglect*

While not every child victimized by child abuse and neglect needs behavioral health services, many can be left with serious behavioral health problems.  Children who have been abused or neglected are at a higher risk for developing depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder.  Even when children don’t have a behavioral health diagnosis, they can be left with a sense of isolation, low self-esteem, fear or difficulty trusting other people. 

Children who have been abused or neglected are also likely to have learning difficulties and struggle in school.  As adolescents they are more likely to be involved with the criminal justice system and to engage in risky sexual behavior.  As adults, they are more likely to use alcohol or drugs and they are more likely abuse their own children. 

In order to mitigate the consequences of child abuse and neglect, children often need help with emotion regulation, coping skills and rebuilding trust. Our staff members have the experience and training to meet these challenges and restore hope to children and their families. 

Services Provided

The IMHOFF Clinic offers a variety of services that are family-based and short-term with the goal of improving children’s mental health, building their developmental competencies and improving family functioning.  The clinic provides services that have been proven to be effective through research (known as evidence based practices).    These services are tailored to the individual needs of the children and families that we work with.  Some of the services offered include:

  • Mental Health Evaluation or Assessment
  • Psychotherapy
  • Family Therapy
  • Group Therapy
  • Parenting Skills
  • Home-based Services
  • Therapeutic Visitation
  • Case Consultation

Cost of Services

The Kempe Center works with a variety of public and private funding sources to help families pay for the services we provide.  Through our affiliation with the University Of Colorado School Of Medicine and Children’s Hospital Colorado, we are able to accept most major insurance plans including Medicaid.  We can often provide services for families who do not have insurance by working with other sources of public funding such as Colorado's Crime Victim Compensation Program or contracts with County Departments of Human Services.  

PLEASE CALL 303-864-5200 TO MAKE A REFERRAL OR GET MORE INFORMATION

*Child Welfare Information Gateway (2008). Long-Term Consequences of Child Abuse and Neglect. Retrieved from http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/long_term_consequences.cfm#physical