The Team for Children at Risk is an Arkansas Children’s Hospital medical clinic. The medical providers are employed by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and are part of the medical staff of Arkansas Children’s Hospital. The Team for Children at Risk Medical Clinic provides medical evaluations for sexual abuse, physical abuse and neglect in collaboration with social workers from Arkansas Children’s Hospital as well as the children’s advocacy center for Pulaski county called, Children’s Protection Center.
Patients can be referred to the Team for Children at Risk medical clinic by community physicians or by an investigator with local law enforcement, the Department of Children and Family Services or the Crimes Against Children Division of the Arkansas State Police. The clinic does not accept self-referral of patients and encourages anyone with concerns of abuse or neglect to report directly to the Arkansas Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-482-5964.
Who May Refer Children
We accept referrals for appointments from Arkansas State Police, Arkansas Division of Children and Family Services, local law enforcement agencies, prosecuting attorneys, courts, physicians and other health care professionals.
Intake
If you are a medical provider or a community provider needing to refer a patient for an appointment, you may call us at 501-364-2680. We will complete an intake form and determine whether the child meets the criteria for an appointment.
However, please note that all criteria must be met in order for us to give an appointment. The criteria are listed on the attached form. If a child does not meet any one of these criteria, the child likely will need an immediate examination in the Arkansas Children’s Hospital Emergency Department. If all the criteria is not met, call 501-364-1185 and ask to speak to the admitting resident or nurse, or you may call us and we can help you determine that need and notify the Emergency Department for you.
Children referred by a primary care physician for issues other than child abuse will need a referral for insurance purposes.
Medical records for exams performed at the Team for Children at Risk Medical Clinic are maintained by the Medical Records Department at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. They can be reached at 501-364-1268.
Medical Evaluations
Medical evaluations for child sexual abuse are non-invasive exams. Speculums are not used in the exam process. A magnified light source is used to assist in the exam, but it is not an internal scope. Evaluations for physical abuse may use x-ray and/or lab testing. Evaluations for neglect may include hair drug testing if requested by an investigator. These tests do not involve pulling hair from the scalp and are not painful.
Who Receives the Medical Report
The medical record is released to the referring agency, referring physician and/or primary care physician, the Medical Records Department of Arkansas Children’s Hospital, and the offices of the appropriate law enforcement agency and Arkansas Department of Human Services.
Who to Call for Questions
You may contact the Team for Children at Risk Medical Clinic by phone, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The following is a list of the staff, their phone numbers, and responsibilities:
- Karen Farst, M.D., Director, Team for Children at Risk, 501-364-2650
- Explanation of medical reports/findings
- Consultations
- Rachel Clingenpeel, M.D., Associate Director, 501-364-3679
- Explanation of medical reports/findings
- Consultations
- Stacey Harvey, Clinic Coordinator, 501-364-2680
- Intake coordinator and schedules appointments
- Handles billing and insurance
- Jeni McCann, RN, Clinic Nurse, 501-364-2680
- Answers questions regarding intakes and schedules appointments
- Answers questions about examinations and assists with them
- Toss Worthington, Nurse Practitioner, 501-364-2675
- Explanation of medical reports/findings
- Consultations
- Schedule lectures or meetings
- Jennifer Livingston, Advanced Practice Nurse, 501-364-2678
- Explanation of medical reports/findings
- Consultations
- Liza Murray, M.D., Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, 501-364-3817
- Explanation of medical reports/findings
- Consultations
- Gina McGee, Program Administrator, 501-364-1013
- Administrative support to providers
- Social Workers, 501-364-1406
- Social issues
- Resources for services
- Stan Rauls, Legal Educator, 501-227-8999
- Schedules meetings of attorneys with UAMS professionals
We appreciate the opportunity to participate with you in the evaluation and management of abused children and their families. Please call any of us for concerns or questions.