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CARES
Northwest is a collaborative,
community-based medical
program for the assessment,
treatment and prevention
of child abuse. We provide
a safe, child-friendly environment
for the assessment of children
for whom there are concerns
of physical or sexual abuse,
neglect and exposure to
domestic violence. Physical
examinations and interviews
are conducted in a comfortable
environment to help children
feel safe. 
Founded in 1987, the program
is a collaborative effort
among four of the region's
leading health systems —
Kaiser Permanente, Legacy
Emanuel Children's Hospital,
OHSU Doernbecher
Children's Hospital and Providence Health System.
CARES Northwest was the
first program in Oregon
to pair physicians and nurse
practitioners with child
interviewers in a medical
setting to provide child
abuse evaluations. Coordinating
experts in medicine, mental
health, child protective
services and law enforcement
agencies, CARES Northwest
ensures that children obtain
needed professional services
in one child-friendly location.
This approach to intervention
increases effectiveness,
which minimizes trauma to
the child, helps prevent
future abuse and sets them
on the road to healing.
CARES Northwest is one of
the oldest and largest child
abuse assessment centers
in the nation, serving more
than 4,400 children annually.
Approximately 1,350 children
are seen at the program
each year. We are the only
program serving Multnomah
and Washington Counties,
we also serve children throughout
Oregon and Clark County,
Washington.
Statistics related to the
incidence of child abuse
can be overwhelming. Some
health care professionals
refer to child abuse as
a national epidemic. Studies
estimate that as many as
one in three girls and one
in six boys will experience
some form of child abuse
by the time they reach the
age of 18. |
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