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Accredited Member
The following program components are necessary for accredited membership in National Children’s Alliance:
1. MDT: A Multidisciplinary Team for response to child abuse allegations includes representation from the following: Law Enforcement, Child Protection Services, Prosecution, Medical, Mental Health, Victim Advocacy, Children’s Advocacy Center
2. Cultural Competency: The Children's Advocacy Center provides cultural competent services for all CAC clients throughout the life of the case.
3. Forensic Interviews: Forensic interviews are conducted in a manner that is legally sound, of a fact-finding nature, and are coordinated to avoid duplicative interviewing.
4. Victim Support and Advocacy: Victim support and advocacy services are provided to all CAC clients and their caregivers as part of the Multidisciplinary Team response.
5. Medical Evaluation: Specialized medical evaluation and treatment services are available to all CAC clients and coordinated as part of the Multidisciplinary Team response.
6. Mental Health: Evidence-based trauma-focused mental health services, designed to meet the unique needs of the children and caregivers, are consistently available as part of the Multidisciplinary Team response.
7. Case Review: A formal process in which multidisciplinary discussion and information sharing regarding the investigation, case status and services needed by the child and family is to occur on a routine basis.
8. Case Tracking: Children's Advocacy Centers must develop and implement a system for monitoring case progress and tracking case outcomes for all MDT components.
9. Organizational Capacity: A designated legal entity responsible for program and fiscal operations has been established and implements basic sound administrative policies and procedures.
10. Child Focused Setting: The child-focused setting is comfortable, private and both physically and psychologically safe for diverse populations of children and their family members.
MDT COORDINATOR
Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) Members will make referrals to Children's Advocacy Centers where their staff members will conduct forensic interviews and determine what additional services are needed for the child. The MDT is a team of professionals from child protective services, law enforcement, district attorney's office, mental and medical health facilities and child advocacy centers. Intake assessments will assure that children receive the appropriate service based on the circumstances of the case and their need. An Activity log, which includes the services provided, recommendations, and outcome will be maintained. The MDT Coordinator in collaboration with MDT members will help ensure that each agency has current information pertaining to their clients so they can make the necessary referrals and provide the best service possible to clients and their families.