Dr. Melinda Hansen and Dr. Daniel Tucker at the GFNF Child Summit
On September 16, 2015 Treasure Coast Guardians for New Futures (GFNF) held their Child Summit at Indian River State College in Fort Pierce, FL. The summit is open to the public and offered continuing education credits for eligible professionals. The summit focused on domestic violence and trending sex crimes with a variety of speakers to offer their expertise in these areas ranging from college and university professors to members of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the U.S. Department of Justice. Among these experts were University of Florida, Department of Psychiatry faculty member Daniel Tucker, MD and Community Psychiatry Fellow Melinda Hansen, MD. The title of their presentation was “Talking to children about their abuse: Psychiatric perspectives on the initial interview of abused or molested children.”
“I’m grateful to have been able to participate in the Guardians of New Futures Child Summit as I feel it opens up dialogue amongst mental health care professionals on ways that we as a community can unite to protect our youth. Dr Tucker and I had the opportunity to highlight approaches for interviewers at all levels of contact with abused children, sending the fundamental message to listen, listen, listen.” -Melinda Hansen, MD
“GFNF’s mission is to support the unfunded needs of abused and neglected children while increasing community awareness and education to further protect children. Since 2008, GFNF has made great strides in education and working in collaboration with community leaders and organizations regarding issues impacting our youth.”
The University of Florida’s Center for Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine, Vero Beach is a teaching facility, staffed by UF clinicians and fellows, that represents a new model in community medicine-academic medical centers partnering with local resources to identify and respond to urgent healthcare needs. This summit was an excellent opportunity for the center to partner with such a wonderful organization to educate and provide resources to the Indian River community.
To learn more about the Guardians for New Futures please visit their website at www.gfnf4kids.org