Kentucky Statute 431.600 requires a cooperative, complementary response by all agencies responsible for protecting children including law enforcement, child advocacy centers, prosecutors, and the Department of Health and Human Services. A multidisciplinary team response combines those disciplines as well as mental health providers, medical providers, and victim advocates to ensure each child receives a comprehensive response when a report of sexual abuse is made. A functioning and effective multidisciplinary team is the foundation of a Children’s Advocacy Center.
The Center’s MDT Case Coordinators work closely with the multidisciplinary teams in the 10 counties of our service area. Multidisciplinary teams coordinate intervention to reduce potential trauma to children and families and to improve services overall, while preserving and respecting the rights, mandates, and obligations of each agency. The Center’s Case Coordinators also work with the multidisciplinary teams to develop protocols and provide training opportunities.