Child Protection Team

The Child Protection Team (CPT) is a team of highly trained professionals on the issues of child abuse and neglect. Mandated in the State of Florida, the Child Protection Center is the home base for the Child Protection Team in Sarasota and DeSoto Counties. CPT provides expertise in evaluating allegations of abuse and neglect, assessing risk factors, and providing recommendations for interventions to protect children. The team is available 24/7 to provide emergency intervention services.

After an abuse report has been made to the Florida Abuse Hotline, children are often referred to the Child Protection Team at CPC. Through forensic interviews and medical assessments, CPT allows a child to tell their story in a child-friendly, non-leading environment, while documenting everything the child says. This thorough documentation (photos, videos, and written reports) may be used in criminal or dependency proceedings.

In any given year, the Child Protection Team typically reviews over 3,200 local reports of child abuse and neglect.

For more information about CPT, please contact Program Director Danielle Hughes at DanielleS@CPCSarasota.org or call 941-365-1277 Ext. 212