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.
The Winchester Multidisciplinary Team includes:
- The ChildSafe Center-CAC
- Winchester Police Department
- Winchester Office of Commonwealth’s Attorney
- Winchester Department of Social Services
- Winchester Victim Witness Program
- The Laurel Center
- Winchester Medical Center Forensic Nursing Program
The Shenandoah Multidisciplinary Team includes:
- The ChildSafe Center-CAC
- Winchester Medical Center Forensic Nursing Program
- Shenandoah County Commonwealth Attorney’s Office
- Shenandoah County Department of Social Services
- Shenandoah County Victim Witness Program
- Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Department
- Strasburg Police Department
- Woodstock Police Department
- Mount Jackson Police Department
- Edinburg Police Department
- New Market Police Department