MTD Approach
Our Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Approach
At the Regional Child Advocacy Center, we use a Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) approach to ensure a coordinated, compassionate, and effective response to child abuse. This team-based model brings professionals from different agencies together to collaborate on each case — with the child’s safety, healing, and justice at the center of every decision. We have Multidisciplinary Teams in Clarke, Washington, and Choctaw counties that meet monthly to review cases.
Who Is Part of the MDT?
Our MDT includes professionals from multiple fields, working together to support the child and their family:
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Law Enforcement – Investigates the abuse and ensures criminal accountability
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Department of Human Resources (DHR) – Protects the child and assesses family safety
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Prosecutors – Provide legal guidance and pursue justice in court when needed
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Medical Providers – Offer specialized medical evaluations to ensure the child’s well-being
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Mental Health Professionals – Provide trauma-informed therapy and emotional support
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Child Advocacy Center Staff – Conduct forensic interviews, family advocacy, and coordinate care
How the MDT Works
Rather than having a child and family tell their story multiple times to different agencies, the MDT works collaboratively to:
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Share information and observations
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Coordinate next steps in the investigation or support plan
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Ensure the child’s physical, emotional, and legal needs are being met
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Reduce duplication of services and prevent further trauma
This collaborative approach allows for better decisions, faster support, and stronger outcomes for children and their families.
Why the MDT Approach Matters
Child abuse cases are complex. No single agency can meet all the needs of a child and their family. The MDT model ensures that every aspect of the child’s well-being is addressed — legally, medically, emotionally, and socially.
By working together, we provide a more effective and child-centered response that leads to better outcomes for children and families.
Training for Professionals
The NCAC Training Center is located on the campus of the National Children’s Advocacy Center in Huntsville, Alabama, and is one of the leading providers of quality training for professionals working with abused children and their families. To meet the varied needs of the child abuse professional, training sessions are available on campus, online, customized training taken to the professionals, and through the International Symposium on Child Abuse yearly conference.
Child Abuse Library Online (CALiO)
CALiO is one of the largest professional resource collections available today, providing access to published knowledge, educational materials, and resources related to child maltreatment. This online library provides an array of professional services, described below, including online search services, table of contents services, and training. CALiO and NCAC’s On-Campus Research Library are primarily research collections supporting the professional work of the organization. However, the library and its collections are available to other professionals and to the public.