Our Community Partners
The Multi-disciplinary Team concept is a core aspect of the original CAC model designed to create a better response to child sexual abuse.
Why is the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) response effective?
Before the 1980’s, the US response to child sexual abuse was not a coordinated effort between the various entities responsible for conducting the initial investigation and response to child sexual abuse. With a committed group of community volunteers, the process was refined and implemented the first Child Advocacy Center in Huntsville, Alabama in 1985.
This model recognized that for us to effectively respond to this issue, a unique public-private partnership would be needed. Various agencies and departments responsible for the protection of children must be united in a collaborative effort to respond with the understanding that no one agency by itself could assure the protection of children.
Our partners include various institutions of law enforcement, child protective services, mental health, and victim advocacy all with the common goal of protecting children.
This model has been widely adopted as the best practice in responding to child sexual abuse in the US. Throughout the country, there are now more than 1,000 CACs that serve more than 300,000 children per year. Further, this model has now been implemented in more than 34 countries throughout the world.
Our Mission at Voices of Courage
Responding to child abuse through a team approach to prevent further trauma to children by providing a safe environment for them to disclose abuse and through public education to achieve a better community in which children can thrive.
OUR PARTNERS INCLUDE:
Each of our teams listed below includes members from our Voices of Courage staff. These include our MDT Coordinator, forensic interviewers, child and family advocate and therapists.
5th Judicial Circuit
This circuit covers the counties of Andrew and Buchanan. Our partners here include members of the St. Joseph Police Department, Buchanan County Sheriff’s Dept., Children’s Division and the Juvenile Office located in St. Joseph, the Andrew and Buchanan County Prosecutor’s Offices and Mosaic Life Care located in St. Joseph.
4th Judicial Circuit
This circuit covers the counties of Atchison, Gentry, Holt, Nodaway and Worth. Our partners here include members of the area police and sheriff’s departments, Children’s Division and the Juvenile Office located in Maryville, the County Prosecutor’s Offices from each county and Mosaic Life Care with locations in Maryville and Albany.
43rd Judicial Circuit
This circuit covers the counties of Clinton and DeKalb. Our partners here include members of the area police and sheriff’s departments, Children’s Division and the Juvenile Office located in Plattsburg, and the County Prosecutor’s Offices from each county.
Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri is also a part of our MDT. Their expertise regarding the medical needs of the children we serve is invaluable. CMH provides medical exams (for both sexual and physical abuse allegations) to ensure the children in Northwest Missouri are receiving the best care available. Our hospitals work together in deciding where a child will best be served and appointments are then made accordingly.
