The MDT (Multidisciplinary Team) Approach

  
 

 

 

 

 

 The heart of a Child Advocacy Center is the multidisciplinary team.  The team represents a variety of agencies within the community.  When brought together, team members share a common goal - to support children and families during the investigation of suspected child maltreatment.  Through interagency agreement, child protection workers, law enforcement officers, mental health providers, medical providers, advocates, and prosecutors work together - combining professional skills and knowledge to create amore complete understanding of care issues and, ultimately, a more supportive response. 

A coordinated interview with the alleged child victim is central to the work of a Child Advocacy Center.  All child interviews, medical examinations, and assessments are conducted by professionals specially trained in child abuse investigation, in a child-friendly environment.  This minimizes the need for numerous interviews and provisions of services in different locations.

Child Advocacy centers look at each step of the system from a child's point of view. This creates a response that takes into account the special needs of already traumatized children and their families.

A community that responds to child abuse through appropriate intervention provides hope and healing for children, and encourages families to reach their full potential.