Children's Wisconsin CAPS Team Providers Present at State and National Conferences

In April 2023, Dr. Hillary Petska gave two presentations at the Ray E. Helfer Society National Child Maltreatment Scholar’s Conference – "Yield of Follow-Up Skeletal Surveys When Adherence Is High" (conducted with medical student, Ashley Stahnke) and "Drug Testing in Abused, Neglected and Drug Endangered Children: A Comparison of Different Approaches" (a national expert workshop). Both were well received and brought positive recognition to the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) and Children’s Wisconsin (CW).

The skeletal survey presentation highlighted extraordinarily high follow-up skeletal survey rates at our institution (96%) and how such strict adherence to this practice can yield increased detection of findings in vulnerable children (i.e., an additional 8% yield rate). The drug testing workshop educated practitioners across the country in the variation and diversity of drug-endangered child screenings, and opportunities for standardized best practice.

Several individuals from the Child Advocacy and Protection Services (CAPS) program were invited to present at Together for Children, an annual conference presented by Prevent Child Abuse Wisconsin and Children’s Wisconsin. CAPS medical providers and our anti-human trafficking coordinator provided expertise and recommendations on topics related to child maltreatment and trauma system improvements. The Child Advocacy team was able to provide education and establish connections with multidisciplinary team members of different community agencies throughout Wisconsin.

Conferences such as these provide the Child Advocacy and Protection team the ability to educate community partners with the goal of improving the health and safety of children.