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CARE Team

Prevent child abuse

Led by a pediatrician who is board certified in child abuse medicine, the Cook Children’s Child Advocacy Resources and Evaluation (CARE) team provides medical and forensic evaluations for victims of physical abuse, neglect and drug exposure, sexual abuse screening examinations and preventative education for victims of child maltreatment.

CARE team examinations for child victims of abuse are conducted following a referral from Child Protective Services (CPS), law enforcement agencies, or a medical provider.

To report abuse, neglect or exploitation

Please contact the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services at 1-800-252-5400. If the child is in immediate danger, call 911

CARE team examinations for child victims of abuse are conducted following a referral from Child Protective Services (CPS), law enforcement agencies, or a medical provider.

Cook Children's CARE team provides medical evaluations for:

Sexual abuse
Physical abuse
Other forms of child abuse and neglect
Neglect
Drug exposure
Medical child abuse

The CARE team is actively involved in community education and training in the awareness and prevention of child abuse and neglect.

Preventing child abuse and neglect

Prevention, help and support resources

Alliance for Children Alliance For Children is Tarrant County's Children's Advocacy Center, dedicated to the protection and healing of child abuse victims.	More Information
Johnson County Children's Advocacy Center Johnson County Children's Advocacy Centerprovides each child who has suffered abuse with justice, hope and healing.	More Information
Children's Advocacy Center of Parker County The Mission of the Children's Advocacy Center of Parker County is to end the cycle of abuse by giving the children of Parker County a voice.	More Information
Paluxy River Children's Advocacy Center The vision of Paluxy River Children's Advocacy Center is to reduce the trauma to child abuse victims and their non-offending family members and to work toward improving the justice system's response to child abuse.	More Information
The Women's Center The Women's Center's mission is to inspire and empower women, men and children to overcome violence, crisis and poverty. It is a place of hope, opportunity and better futures for families in Tarrant County.	More Information
One Safe Place One Safe Place is a comprehensive crime prevention agency devoted to preventing crime and violence in Tarrant County's neighborhoods, schools and homes.	More Information
Texas Child Protective Services (CPS) Protecting the Unprotected	More Information
Help and Hope This site, from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, offers help for parents and hope for kids.	More Information
Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline is dedicated to the prevention of child abuse and offers crisis intervention, information, and emergency, social service, and support resources.	More Information
1-800-4-A-CHILD The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453). All calls are confidential	More Information
My Health My Resources (MHMR) Tarrant County MHMR Tarrant works to improve the lives of people with health care needs, such as substance use disorder, psychiatric disorders, and intellectual delays and disabilities.	More Information
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals.	More Information

Meet our team

Pediatric nurse practitioners

Christi Thornhill DNP, RN, APRN, ENP, ACNP-BC, CPNP-AC, CP-SANE Director of CARE Team, Fostering Health, Trauma Program and Surgical Clinical Excellence Program
Donna Wright MSN, RN, APRN, CPNP, CP-SANE
Elizabeth Popeck DNP, RN, APRN, CPNP-PC
Caitlyn Bastable DNP, RN, APNP, CPNP-PC

Forensic nurse examiners

Summer Anderson BSN, RN, CP-SANE
Crystal Baxter BSN, RN, CP-SANE
Theresa Fugate BSN, RN, SANE-P, CP-SANE
Stacey Henley MSN, RN, SANE-P, CP-SANE Nurse Manager
Bren Ledbetter BSN, RN, CP-SANE, CA-SANE
Jaclyn Monday BSN, RN, CP-SANE, CA-SANE
Pamela Simmons MSN, RN, SANE

Education coordinator

Pamela Simmons MSN, RN, SANE

Social work

Allyn Cary MSW, LCSW
Stacy Starkes MSW, LCSW

Office coordinator

Claudia Williams

Care partners

Jessica Escamilla
Catherine George

Therapy dog

Kitty Sit...Stay....Play therapy dog, and comfort specialist

Contact information

Phone: 682-885-3953

Clinic hours: 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday

We're here to help.

If your child has been recommended to us, you probably have lots of questions. We can help. If you would like to schedule an appointment, refer a patient or speak to our staff, please call our offices at 682-885-3953.

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