We serve vulnerable children in a child-friendly environment. As a member of the National Children’s Advocacy Center, our highly trained, experienced team follows a proven care model for responding to abuse allegations.
Experiencing abuse is extremely traumatic. During our investigation, we strive to help your child feel safe and secure when telling their story. And we bring all agency partners together in a shared space, so your child only needs to tell it one time. Our goal is to promote justice through this coordinated response while helping your child begin to heal.
What to do if child abuse is suspected
If you suspect abuse, call the PA ChildLine at 800-932-0313. You can also call Child Protection Medicine at 484-633-0935 with questions about the program.
Child Protection Medicine services
Child Protection Medicine is a division of Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital. A board-certified child abuse pediatrician leads the program, which has two branches:
Child Protection Team
This hospital-based team offers immediate health services for your child. They:
- Take a complete medical history
- Perform a thorough medical examination, including photographic documentation of injuries
- Carefully document all information shared by the child or their family members
- Order laboratory tests and imaging scans, like X-rays
- Involve other specialists as needed
- Inform Children and Youth Services of any reasonable suspicion of abuse
The team works closely with the Children’s ER and, when needed, involves other specialists from areas such as:
The John Van Brakle Child Advocacy Center
Children and their families receive support and care from our child abuse physician and from:
- Pediatricians with expertise in child maltreatment
- A licensed clinical social worker
- A family advocate
Our community-based program brings together child-welfare partners including:
- Lehigh County Children and Youth
- Allentown Police Department
- Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office
- Lehigh County Child Abuse Prevention Network, a victim’s advocacy organization
A member from each organization partners to:
- Conduct forensic interviews
- Investigate, manage and prosecute child abuse cases
Who does the Child Advocacy Center serve?
We serve the Lehigh Valley’s most vulnerable children, under age 18, when there is:
- Obvious or suspected neglect
- A suspicion of physical, sexual or emotional abuse
- Evidence of failure to thrive
- Maltreatment-related injury or illness
Follow-up care for child abuse
Depending on the extent of maltreatment your child experienced, they may need ongoing medical care and the support of behavioral health providers, such as child and adolescent psychiatrists. These services can help your child cope and regain their ability to trust.
‘No-Hit Zone’ promotes child advocacy
Every Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) facility, including Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital, is designated a “No-Hit-Zone.” We recognize that hitting another human being harms their physical, emotional and mental health. Instead, we encourage parents, families and educators to address conflict without violence.
The “No-Hit Zone” designation fosters a safe health care environment where:
- No adult will hit a child
- No adult will hit another adult
- No child will hit an adult
- No child will hit another child
Hospitals and health centers across the United States are becoming “No-Hit Zones.” LVHN is proud to use our strong position within the community to join this movement and advocate for better treatment of children.
Your children mean the world to you.
At Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital, we take the very best care of them.