Location and Map
The Clark Center for Safe and Healthy Children is located at 1210 Wolfe Street.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of medical evaluations are performed at the TCAR medical clinic?
Physical Abuse
- Measure height and weight
- General head-to-toe physical exam
- X-rays and labs as needed (performed at ACH)
Sexual Abuse
- Measure height and weight
- General head-to-toe physical exam
- A detailed exam of the anal and genital area using a magnified light source. This light does not touch the child. Sexual abuse exams are not invasive in regards to the use of a speculum in girls (NOT used) or any type of scope in the anus (NOT performed).
- Urine, swab or blood work as indicated
Neglect/Failure to Thrive/Drug-Exposure
- Measure height and weight
- General head-to-toe physical exam
- Collection of hair samples for drug testing if requested by referring agency. If this is performed, it consists of cutting a lock of hair from the crown of the head. There is no hair pulling or pain involved with the collection.
- X-rays and labs as needed (performed at ACH)
Will I know the results of the evaluation right away?
The medical provider will discuss the findings of the exam and explain any tests that have been ordered. Some lab tests take several days for results to return. Medical records from the TCAR medical clinic are housed and managed by ACH medical records. The staff at TCAR medical clinic can notify you of lab results after a visit, but cannot provide you with copies of the visit records. Medical records should be requested from ACH medical records/health information office.
It is uncommon for a medical evaluation for sexual abuse to be able to distinguish, if, when and how often sexual contact/abuse has occurred. The skin in the ano-genital area if mucosal skin which is elastic in nature and heals quickly when injured. Any identified injuries will be discussed with the legal guardian. However, the absence of visible injury on a medical evaluation for suspected sexual abuse should NEVER be used to assume that sexual abuse has not occurred.
Who should come?
The parent/legal guardian is a welcome participant in the visit. Please avoid bringing other children to the visit as the waiting area is not large and the parent will typically have a post-conference visit with the medical provider apart from the patient (and other children).
Things to do before the visit
- If your child has Medicaid, ARKids or medical insurance, please ask your child’s primary care doctor to fax a referral to the Team for Children at Risk medical clinic at 501-364-3939. Tell your physician that the referral is for an evaluation of suspected child abuse.
- Call us at 501-364-2680 the day before your child’s appointment to confirm it.
- If your child is having a period (cycle/bleeding) on the day of her appointment, call us to reschedule.
- If you will not be able to keep the appointment, please let us know as soon as possible, so we can give it to another child.
When you come:
- Bring your child’s Social Security number.
- Only the child or children to be seen should be brought to the visit, if possible. If you bring other children, bring someone to watch over them even if both parents come.
- Please be on time. If you are thirty minutes late for your appointment, we will have to reschedule your child’s visit.
We will look forward to seeing you and your child!