Our Blog

by MDT Coordinator, Forensic Interviewer, and Program Director
of the Children's Advocacy Center of the SLV- Shelly Martinez

A Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) is a group of professionals who work together when there are concerns or allegations of child abuse or neglect, or when a child has witnessed a crime. Depending on the needs of the case, the team may include law enforcement, child protective services, the District Attorney’s Office, the Children’s Advocacy Center, victim and family advocates, medical providers, mental health professionals, and other community partners. At the Children’s Advocacy Center of the San Luis Valley, the MDT brings together professionals from different agencies who share one common goal: protecting children and supporting families.

When a child experiences abuse, neglect, or other traumatic circumstances, no single agency or professional can meet every need that child and their family may face. Protecting children takes people working together to make sure children are safe, families are supported, and everyone involved has the information they need. This is where the Multidisciplinary Team plays an important role.

Each team member has a different role and area of expertise. By working together, the team is able to look at the needs of the child and family from multiple perspectives rather than expecting one agency to handle everything.

Child abuse cases can be complicated.

Child abuse cases can be complicated. Without a coordinated response, families may have to navigate several agencies and systems on their own. They may be asked to repeat information unnecessarily, receive conflicting information, or simply not know who to contact when they need help.

The MDT approach helps reduce these challenges. Team members share appropriate information, communicate about concerns, and work together throughout the case. This allows professionals to consider both the needs of the investigation and the well-being of the child and family.

The Children’s Advocacy Center provides a child-focused setting where many parts of this response can come together. This may include coordinating forensic interviews, providing family advocacy, connecting children and caregivers with medical and mental health services, and helping MDT partners stay connected throughout the case.

An important part of this work is case review. Case review gives MDT members an opportunity to come together and discuss what has happened in a case, what still needs to happen, and whether the child and family need additional support. It also helps make sure a family does not simply disappear from the system after an interview or initial investigation

During case review, the team continues to ask important questions: Is the child safe? Has the family been connected with services? Are there barriers we can help address? Is there something another team member needs to know to help move the case forward?

Strong MDTs are built on relationships, trust, communication, and a willingness to work across agency lines. This is especially important in rural communities, where resources may be limited and professionals often rely on one another to make sure children and families receive the services they need.

At the Children’s Advocacy Center of the San Luis Valley, we are grateful for the many professionals throughout our communities who dedicate their time, knowledge, and compassion to this work. Every forensic interview, case review, referral, investigation, medical evaluation, advocacy contact, and conversation between partners represents people coming together on behalf of a child.

 

Protecting children takes all of us. Through the Multidisciplinary Team approach, we can work together to help children feel heard, families feel supported, and our communities become safer for every child.