Child maltreatment is a common and serious public health concern. According to the Maryland Department of Human Services’ Child Protective Services, in Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 there were 47,258 new cases of alleged child abuse and neglect in Maryland. Child maltreatment results in significant morbidity, mortality, and costs. 

Maryland Health General Article §13-2201-2207 establishes the Child Abuse Medical Providers (Maryland CHAMP) Initiative in the Maryland Department of Health to identify, recruit, train and provide ongoing support, education and expert consultation in the diagnosis and treatment of child abuse to healthcare providers who evaluate child victims of abuse and neglect served by Child Advocacy Centers (CACs)​.  CACs are child-friendly facilities where child victims of maltreatment may be interviewed, undergo medical examinations, and receive treatment. CACs stress coordination of investigation and intervention services by bringing together professionals and agencies as Multidisciplinary Teams to create a child-focused approach to child abuse cases. 

​The CHAMP Network is the group of medical professionals (physicians and nurses) who are experts in the area of child maltreatment and who serve as a resource to the CACs, evaluating suspected abuse or neglect in children, providing consultation and training, and engaging in prevention activities.

Please click here​  to learn more about the Maryland CHAMP Program. 

For Past Annual Child Abuse and Neglect Reports, click here​.​