Child Abuse Response Team (CART) Consultation Service and Clinic
CART is a team of specialized healthcare providers who are dedicated to evaluating and caring for children and adolescents when there are concerns for physical abuse, neglect, or emotional abuse. We provide comprehensive medical care, crisis intervention and referrals.
FAQs
A: New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department (CFYD), law enforcement, or a medical professional asked for your child to get this evaluation. They are worried that your child may have been abused or neglected in some way.
A: UNMH is the only hospital in New Mexico that has trained medical professionals dedicated to evaluating and caring for children who may be victims of maltreatment.
A: The CART provider will want to talk to you and to your child. Your child will have a physical examination. We will write down if your child has any injuries or signs of neglect on their body. We may take photographs of these findings. The CART medical professional may want your child to get blood work tests, x-rays, or head imaging to know more about their health.
A: Most evaluations take 1 to 3 hours. The time depends on the tests the CART medical professional wants your child to get.
A: CART will share copies of the written and photographic documentation from your child’s medical evaluation with CYFD and law enforcement if they request it. We can also share the written report with your child’s primary care provider.
A: Legal guardians can request a copy from the UNMH Medical Records Office. You can also ask for a copy of the report from CYFD if they are involved in your child’s case.