Shining the Spotlight on Our Newest Social Worker Audrey Sondheimer
On March 6, 2023, the Child Advocacy and Protection Services (CAPS) team welcomed our newest social worker, Audrey Sondheimer. Audrey joins our team with great knowledge and experience working in hospital-based settings. Her experience includes working with children providing intensive in-home therapies, including TF-CBT. Audrey also worked at a Pediatric Emergency Department Level 1 Trauma Center in Michigan. She recently presented to local graduate students on childhood trauma, as well as signs and interventions when there is concern of child abuse.
With Audrey joining the team, the hospital based CAPS team is now supported by two full-time social workers. The hospital-based CAPS social workers are a resource regarding mandated reporting, community-based resources, and navigating abuse and neglect investigations. The CAPS social workers work alongside the medical providers to ensure information is gathered from patients and families in a trauma informed way, and that the information is then shared with investigators so they are able to make informed decisions.
Social Workers serve in various roles within the Child Advocacy program. The CAPS program social workers throughout the state include family and youth advocacy, forensic interviewers, and anti-human trafficking coordinators. Social workers on the CAPS team provide great insight, expertise, and experience in working with and supporting victims of child abuse and neglect.
A major function of the social work role is to liaison with community agencies and support collaboration with internal partners. Social workers work closely with community agencies such as child protective services, law enforcement, community-based advocacy programs, and other multidisciplinary partners. CAPS social workers routinely collaborate with medical social workers throughout the healthcare system to ensure the needs of patients and families are met. Fostering relationships with patients and families, community agencies, internal partners, and the medical care team is at the core of the social work function.