Multidisciplinary Teams

The Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) is an approach to child abuse investigations in which agencies charged with the investigation, prosecution and treatment of alleged child abuse victims form a partnership to provide a coordinated response. The team response helps to provide investigative agencies the information they need to protect the child, but also ensures that the child’s treatment needs are evaluated. The team response also allows agencies to share information, resources and their specialized expertise with other partner agencies involved for the benefit of the entire team and the alleged child victim. This coordination of efforts helps to minimize trauma caused by the investigative process itself. The members of the MDT include the Child Advocacy Center, Child Protective Services, Law Enforcement, Prosecution, Mental Health, Medical, and Victim Advocacy.