United to hear and serve abused children.

The Child Protection Team of Brevard County has provided services to abused children and their families since 1980, and has been coordinated through Wuesthoff Health Services since 1984. The program is part of a statewide network of medically directed multidisciplinary teams designed to enhance the assessment of child abuse cases.

Child abuse is a complex problem which requires the combined expertise of representatives from the medical, social, psychological, and legal professions to intervene and assure the child's safety. The purpose of the Child Protection Team (CPT) is to facilitate a coordinated multidisciplinary approach to the diagnosis and treatment of child abuse and neglect. The Team also works to ensure a comprehensive assessment is completed in order to meet the child victim's needs.

The CPT also provides training and education in the community on all aspects of child abuse and neglect. CPT promotes prevention through outreach and campaign awareness, and provides advocacy while participating in community efforts on behalf of abused children.

The Child Protection Team is a member of the National Network of Children's Advocacy Centers and is a founding member of the Children's Advocacy Center of Brevard, established in 1996. For more information, call 321-259-1883.