A Resource to Keeping Children Safe
The Center for Miracles at CHRISTUS Children’s strives to be a resource to keeping children safe. We provide comprehensive assessments and evaluations for suspected child abuse or neglect on a referral-only basis. The goal of our assessments is to provide accurate and complete medical information to agencies investigating child abuse and to identify any needs of the family that may improve the child's health and safety. In addition, we provide families with referrals to appropriate resources so they can fulfill these needs.
Assessments & Evaluations
Complete Physical Exam
We do a thorough medical examination to determine any injuries that the child may have. If necessary, the doctor may order lab work, x-rays or any other tests needed to confirm or rule out abuse.
Forensic Photo Documentation
Our medical team will document photos of skin findings including bruises, lacerations, scars, and skin markings that may be confused with trauma. This documentation is then used to help confirm or rule out abuse.
Psychosocial Evaluation
Our child protection team will conduct psychosocial evaluations of the child, parent, sibling, caregiver or witness of abuse.
Diagnosis & Reporting
Our doctors will provide the Child Protective Services (CPS) caseworker with a complete report of the findings. That report will help CPS make the best decision for that child's safety and well-being.
Court Testimony
When necessary, our professionals testify in court to explain their findings and to help the jury or judge make important decisions about the child's health and safety.
Additional Services
We offer additional services, including short-term counseling, physician consultations, mental health staffing, physical abuse and neglect staffing, as well as inpatient consultations.
Our Approach
Our mission at the Center for Miracles is to provide timely and accurate medical assessments of children who are suspected victims of abuse or neglect, and in doing so, we ensure that better decisions are made for the protection of that child.
Since opening our doors in 2006, our team of child abuse experts has assessed more than 28,000 children. The pediatricians at the Center for Miracles are part of a small, elite group of child abuse specialists of which there are only 20 in Texas and 375 nationwide. Our team works on a referral-only basis and provides a comprehensive medical and psychosocial evaluation of children who are referred to the center by law enforcement or CPS.
In cases where evidence of abuse and neglect are not found, the Center for Miracles will provide referrals and resources for families at risk.
It is important to remember that suspected child abuse or neglect must be reported to Child Protective Services, whether or not a child is referred to the Center for Miracles.
The Center for Miracles does not provide medical treatment or assessment for children with serious emergent injuries, but we do sometimes see children after their injuries are treated or are healing. We do not make legal decisions about the disposition (abuse, no abuse, or unable to determine) of a CPS case. We do not arrest people, nor do we make legal decisions about a person's guilt.
Types of Child Abuse
- Neglect
- Physical Abuse
- Sexual Abuse
- Emotional Abuse