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Child advocacy

Injury Prevention and Research Center

The Protective Services Team assesses children who are victims of child abuse and neglect and facilitates appropriate interventions when they present to the hospital. Find child maltreatment presentations here. 

 

Injuries are the leading cause of death and subsequent long-term disability to children 1 to 19 years of age. In most cases, these injuries are preventable.

In response, the hospital has established a comprehensive Injury Prevention and Research Center that coordinates all hospital activities in both intentional and unintentional injuries. In doing so, we address the leading causes of injury to Illinois children through behavioral risk reduction and the promotion of safe physical and social environments.

Our vision is that children should be safe and strong. The Injury Prevention and Research Center (IPRC) strives to reduce preventable injuries in several ways. These include

  • Fostering protective environments
  • Enhancing knowledge and skills
  • Increasing awareness
  • Improving public policies

The IPRC coordinates all intentional and unintentional injury prevention activities within the hospital. Following a public health model that describes the injury problem, indentifies causes and locations of injury, and develops and tests interventions, the IPRC contributes to best practice and research methods to reduce childhood injury.

Our team

Injury Prevention and Research Center collaborators include the following departments and programs:

  • Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
  • Clinical and Organizational Development
  • Emergency Medical Services
  • General Academic Pediatrics
  • Government Relations
  • Institute for Sports Medicine
  • The Maryann and J. Milburn Smith Child Health Research Program
  • Office of Child Advocacy
  • Orthopaedic Surgery
  • Pediatric Emergency Medicine
  • Public Affairs and Communications
  • Trauma Services
  • Skylight TV

To learn more, contact

Karen Sheehan, MD, MPH, at 773.880.4412
Medical Director, Injury Prevention and Research Center

James P. Harisiades, MPH, at 773.880.6770
Administrative Director, Ofice of Child Advocacy

Amy L. Hill, MS, at 773.880.3993
Coordinator, Injury Prevention and Research Center

Note: Kohl's Department Stores contributed $5 million to the hospital to expand the hospital's child advocacy efforts with the Kohl's Cares for Kids Network and to provide support for family services programming.