Your Appointment

Often, the first contact a family has with Children’s Center is with our Intake Specialists, who work with families and professionals in the community to gather relevant information to ensure a thorough child abuse assessment. Intake Specialists can explain every step of the assessment and answer questions, so that children and families know what to expect when they walk through our doors.

After your appointment is scheduled, a link will be sent to you. This link will allow you to complete a child history form. Completing the form prior to your appointment will save time when you arrive. Please bring an insurance card with you at the time of your appointment, if you have one. While medical insurance reimbursements and government funds (including the Oregon Crime Victim’s Compensation Program) account for approximately 60% of our funding, the remaining costs associated with medically assessing and supporting children who are suspected victims of abuse and neglect are covered by generous community members. Families are never billed for services at Children’s Center.

Our private waiting rooms are designed to be comfortable and welcoming – spaces where families can be together, and where children can relax while they read, watch movies, play or draw while awaiting their appointment. Our goal is to help you and your family feel as comfortable as possible throughout your visit.

Our evaluation team consists of a medical provider, forensic interviewer, and a family support specialist. The team will meet with you as a caregiver in order to gather medical and social history for your child and family.

Children are offered a comprehensive head-to-toe exam aimed at evaluating a child’s health and wellbeing. Medical providers may also perform or order testing for the child, such as urine testing, hair testing, or x-rays. Children are in control of their assessment, and we encourage the child to feel empowered to make their own decisions.

Specially trained forensic interviewers provide developmentally-appropriate interviews for children in a safe and neutral environment. The interviews are digitally recorded and are often observed by child protective services and law enforcement. This process minimizes the trauma of duplicative interviews for children.

Our family support team can help you understand how this experience will impact your child and what you as a caregiver can do to help your child cope and recover. The Family Support Specialists are trained mental health clinicians who offer emotional support, education, and referrals to additional resources in the community for ongoing services.

After the medical exam and interview, the clinical team will meet with the caregiver to provide a verbal summary of the evaluation and offer written recommendations for next steps.

Your Family Support Specialist will continue to support your family’s needs and can connect you with counseling, domestic violence resources, early intervention, and other services to help your family begin the healing process.