PUBLIC
HEALTH NURSE ADVOCATES TEACHING
CHILD HEALTH AND SAFETY
The PATCHS
Program was initiated in 1995 by the Department of Public Social Services
and the Public Health Nursing Division of the Community Health Agency
of Riverside County. Social Services workers and Public Health Nurses
utilize a team approach in offering assistance to children who are receiving
protective services due to abuse, neglect, and/or abandonment.
PATCHS MISSION STATEMENT
The PATCHS
Public Health Nurse believes that every child has the right to enjoy
the highest potential, physical, emotional, social, and environmental
state of wellness.
The PATCHS
PHN in partnership with the Department of Social Services social workers,
promotes health assessment, education, and advocacy to achieve optimal
conditions for the well-being of the child, the family, and the community.
WORKING TOGETHER TO PROTECT CHILDREN
The
PATCHS Public Health Nurse is a graduate of a baccalaureate college,
is a registered nurse in the state of California and has earned a certificate
as a Public Health Nurse (PHN) in California. The nurse must have a
minimum of one year’s experience as a PHN to qualify for entrance into
the PATCHS program.
PATCHS
PHNs work in collaboration with social workers to improve the coordination
of health care, the optimization of parenting and family life, and to
encourage community support for children requiring protective services
in Riverside County.
These
efforts maximize optimal health for these children and their families.
In addition, due to documentation and witness abilities, PATCHS PHNs
have enabled social workers to comprehensively represent the special
health needs of children to the court system.
NURSING PRACTICE
The role of the PATCHS nurse includes:
- recognition of signs and symptoms of neglect and/or
abuse of children
- expert assessment and documentation of the health
and developmental status of children
- assessment of parenting skills
- interpretation of medical/health record
- facilitation of access to community resources
- liaison with health care providers
- health and parenting educator
- health promotion and disease prevention for clients,
families and the community
The complexity of the health related needs and services of children
requiring protective care makes it imperative that there be collaboration
between social workers and public health nurses.
FOR
MORE INFORMATION CALL:
(951) 358-6473
CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES
24-HOUR HOTLINE
1-800-442-4918 |
