About Us

Who we Are

CMMHRN is part of a national trend toward the development of "centers of excellence" with regard to the medical aspects of child protection. Because Southern Illinois encompasses such a large geographic area, it is difficult for one center to meet the needs of all our children.

Therefore, CMMHRN has created a network of qualified, compassionate medical providers consisting of physicians, nurse practitioners and physician's assistants dedicated to the timely, humane and appropriate medical evaluation and care of children suspected to have been abused or neglected.

Two other networks exist in the State of Illinois (Peoria and Chicago) and are also funded by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. These programs are affiliated with the University of Illinois and the University of Chicago. Working together, the medical professionals of each network provide a system of medical care to children who may have been abused or neglected throughout the state. Therefore, no one medical provider carries the burden alone, and children are better protected.

These medical networks positively impact the child protection system in the state, helping DCFS keep children who are not abused in their homes, provide in-home services when appropriate and remove children from dangerous environments when necessary, so that fewer children experience serious injury or death.

“A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in or the kind of car I drove, but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child.”

 

What We Do

 

  • Specialized medical evaluations for abused and neglected children.
  • Consultation and education to medical professionals and other multidisciplinary team members.
  • Medical casework including case coordination and referral to other services.
  • Victim advocacy during the medical evaluation.
  • Crisis counseling to the child-victim and family.
  • Community and professional education.
  • Medical training for health care professionals.
  • Lending library with extensive research on child abuse and neglect.

 

Referrals are accepted from the Department of Children and Family services, private physicians, emergency room or hospital based physicians, mental health providers, school-based clinics or other agencies.

CMMHRN staff and providers are also available for educational programs or to serve as a resource on child abuse and neglect.

 

Contact Us

Children’s Medical and Mental Health Resource Network is an integrated program to provide children in the southern Illinois area with access to specialized services when child maltreatment or other forms of mental health trauma is suspected/reported. Through a network of specially trained medical and mental health providers, CMMHRN seeks to provide timely linkages and access to those services.

For more information please contact us at:

PO Box 179
Anna, IL 62906
Phone: 618.833.6488
Fax: 618.833.1599

Email: espalt@siumed.edu