Center for Safe & Healthy Families
Diagnosis and Treatment of Child Abuse, Trauma, and Neglect
The Center for Safe and Healthy Families provides medical and mental health services to suspected victims of child abuse and neglect and their families. Our mission is to address child maltreatment through medical assessment, mental health treatment, education and research, guided by the Primary Children's Hospital philosophy of "The Child First and Always."
Our multidisciplinary team of child abuse pediatricians and nurse practitioners, child and adolescent psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, social workers and therapists provide evaluation and management of abused and trauma-exposed children.
Medical Services
Physical Abuse Evaluation
When physical abuse is suspected, a child requires a specialized evaluation that includes a comprehensive history and a physical exam. Depending on the concerns and the age of the child, they may also need to have laboratory studies, imaging tests, and other pediatric specialists to evaluate them.
When a child is evaluated for physical abuse, our team’s doctors, nurses and social workers work together to provide a comprehensive evaluation and to facilitate communication with other medical providers and community partners such as law enforcement or child protective services.
Sexual Abuse Evaluation
Sometimes a child has not disclosed sexual abuse but has a finding that causes a caregiver or healthcare provider to be concerned that they may have been a victim of sexual abuse. Our team may be able to help with a medical evaluation to clarify the concerning finding.
Acute Sexual Assault (Rape) Evaluation
Mental Health Services
Alternatives for Families: A Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (AF-CBT)
Child and Family Traumatic Stress Intervention (CFTSI)
Eye Movement Desensitization Therapy (EMDR)
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
Trauma Specialized Child Psychiatry Services
Child psychiatrists are part of our core team at Safe and Healthy Families and are available for consultation with medical providers at Primary Children's and the Children's Justice Centers. They can evaluate and treat children receiving trauma therapy services at Safe and Healthy Families when appropriate.
What Sets Us Apart
The Only Comprehensive Program in Utah
Our program is the only comprehensive child abuse evaluation and treatment program in the state of the Utah. Because we are a Primary Children's Hospital and University of Utah collaborative program, we have access to all pediatric sub-specialties to ensure the highest quality of care for pediatric patients.
Community Partnerships & Access
We partner with community professionals throughout Utah and the Intermountain West, including other hospitals, clinics, schools, law enforcement and child protection agencies, to provide appropriate and timely care for patients at various locations throughout Utah. in Locations include Primary Children's Hospital, Primary Children's Eccles Outpatient Services, and Children's Justice Centers in 16 Utah counties.What to Expect
When we see your child we will:
- Listen to you about what your concerns are regarding your child and why you brought your child to the hospital.
- Take a complete and thorough history regarding your concerns.
- Do a complete physical examination.
- Carefully document all of the information we are given.
- Decide on the best plan of care for your child and your family.
- Keep you informed of any decisions regarding your child's care.
We may:
- Take photographs of any injuries.
- Order laboratory tests and X-rays.
- Gather evidence if we are concerned a crime has been committed.
- Consult with the Division of Child and Family Services or law enforcement.
We encourage you to ask all the questions you want during this process. Please feel free to tell us about any concerns you have about the examination, photographic documentation, or evidence collection. You can ask for a medical social worker to help you at any time.
Reporting Suspected Abuse
Our physicians, nurse practitioners and forensic nurses work closely with other people in the community to make sure your child is safe. One of the causes of injury or illness could be that someone has hurt your child. We are required by law to report concerns of child abuse and will tell you if we plan to make such a report.