Intervention Services:
CPT and SCAN
Our History and Purpose
Funding for the CPT (Child Protection Team) was awarded to Manatee Children Services in the early 1980’s as part of a statewide initiative to bring together local experts to help protect children. The program is a medically directed, multidisciplinary approach which includes a specially trained pediatrician who works with local law enforcement and the state Department of Children and Family Services to supplement investigation activities.
Program staff provide expertise in evaluating alleged cases of abuse and neglect which may include a medical exam and/or non-leading investigative interviews with children designed to detect abuse. Our professionals also assess family risk factors, providing recommendations for interventions to protect children and enhance a caregiver’s ability to provide a safer environment when possible.
Among the clients served in the year ending September 30, 2023, our team completed lifesaving intervention for every client served with a total of 313 medical evaluations, 295 forensic interviews, 33 multidisciplinary staffing interventions, and 147 interagency referrals for therapeutic sexual abuse treatment.
How We Save Lives
Child Protection Team services supplement the child protective investigation activities of the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. Our team may provide one or more of the following services:
- Medical diagnosis and evaluation of abuse with an expert testimony by a trained pediatrician
- Child and family assessments
- Multidisciplinary staffings
- Psychological evaluations
- Specialized and forensic interviews and expert testimony
- Expert court testimony
- Professional trainings
SCAN (Services to Children Abused by Non-Caregivers) provides intervention services to child sexual abuse victims in which the alleged perpetrator is a non-caregiver or another child. SCAN offers medical diagnoses and evaluation, forensic interviews, referral services, and case management to victims 0 to 17 years of age.
How to help our CPT and SCAN programs:
- Donations of diapers (all sizes), infant toys, socks (all sizes), shoes (all sizes), and underwear (all sizes) for the CPT “Kids Closet” to aid families coming in for interviews.
- Gift cards
- Monetary donations for ongoing needs of families seeking care.
MCS provides a full spectrum of programs serving over 12,000 children and families annually. Since its inception in 1977 as the Manatee County’s first and only emergency shelter for abused children in foster care, MCS has grown to offer programs in treatment, prevention, intervention, and residential services.
