Birmingham, AL – This year marks a significant milestone for the Children’s Hospital Intervention & Prevention Services (CHIPS) Center at Children’s of Alabama as it celebrates 30 years of unwavering commitment to supporting children and families affected by suspected abuse.
Since opening in 1995, the CHIPS Center has served as a crucial resource for healing, offering a safe space for children who have experienced suspected abuse. The center provides comprehensive outpatient services with a dedicated team of specialized physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, social workers, and counselors. Through trauma-informed care, the CHIPS Center brings hope to families navigating some of the most difficult circumstances.
“I am in awe of the dedication and service our CHIPS team has provided over the past 30 years,” said Debra Schneider, executive director of the CHIPS Center. “I am grateful for the never-ending support CHIPS has received from Children’s of Alabama and the commitment from our donors and the community.”
The anniversary also aligns with National Child Abuse Prevention Month, observed each April. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at least one in seven children in the United States has experienced child abuse or neglect in the past year. To address this crisis, CHIPS collaborates with law enforcement agencies, the Department of Human Resources, and child advocacy organizations. The center offers services such as forensic medical exams, counseling, and public education on abuse prevention.
“The courage and resilience of the children and families we serve is humbling,” said Schneider. “I am saddened for the children we lost to the preventable epidemic of abuse. I always hope our work will no longer be needed, but until then, the CHIPS Center will be here.”
To raise awareness, the CHIPS Center will participate in the fourth annual Pinwheels for Prevention event on Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to noon at Veterans Park in Alabaster. The family-friendly event will feature activities for children and provide resources for parents. Additionally, the Benjamin Russell Hospital for Children on the Children’s of Alabama campus will be illuminated in blue throughout April in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Since 1911, Children’s of Alabama has provided specialized medical care for ill and injured children across the state. As one of the nation’s top pediatric hospitals, Children’s is committed to advancing care through education, research, and community outreach.
As the CHIPS Center enters its fourth decade, it remains steadfast in its mission to support, protect, and empower Alabama’s children and families—one child at a time.
