The Multidisciplinary Team process
On any given Friday, in a large conference room on the National Children’s Advocacy Center campus, you will find more than two-dozen people from various backgrounds and professions with a common goal: hope, healing, and justice for survivors of child abuse.
This group includes NCAC employees and representatives from the Huntsville Police Department, the Madison Policy Department, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security, the Department of Human Resources, Crisis Services, and the Madison County District Attorneys Office. This group is made up of investigators, prosecutors, forensic interviewers, mental health professionals, family and victim advocates, medical professionals, and social workers.
One by one, this diverse group reviews the facts of individual cases. They discuss the forensic interview of the child, review evidence, analyze the child’s family support, report on the status of the accused, and at times debate the next step. They know the child by name. Each case is unique. Each case equally important.
In 2018, the Multidisciplinary Team reviewed 813 child abuse cases. These cases included physical and sexual abuse. Next year is the 35th Anniversary of the Multidisciplinary Team model, which was created in Huntsville in 1985.
-
- The Multidisciplinary Team meets weekly to discuss open cases.
-
- Forensic Interviewers and Family Advocates share details with the group.
-
- Law enforcement and medical personnel are included in the MDT
-
- Wilson is a part of the meeting as well, providing comfort to Team members during difficult case discussions.
-
- Each case is reviewed independently.
-
- DHR provides case reports to the Team.
-
- Every member of the Team gets a chance to weigh in on a case.
-
- The collaborative process prevents cases and children from falling through the cracks.
-
- This process can take hours depending on the case load.
