San Bernardino County has approved $7.5 million to expand a team at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital dedicated to helping abused and neglected children. The decision was made unanimously by the board of supervisors.
The funds will be used to improve the identification of abuse, protect young victims, and assist families in coping with trauma. According to a statement on the county’s website, the current team is made up of five attending child abuse pediatricians, five nurse practitioners, and two physicians in training.
“With San Bernardino County’s population on the rise and more families seeking support, we must ensure our child protection resources grow as well,” said board chair Dawn Rowe in the statement. “Expanding the Resiliency Institute for Child Abuse team means we’re ready to respond to the increased need, and heightened awareness, around child abuse.”
Loma Linda University Health has served as the lead agency for nearly 30 years in evaluating abused children within San Bernardino County. The hospital assesses whether injuries were intentionally inflicted and handles about 4,000 cases each year.
