Model Protocol for Multidisciplinary Teams - Office of the Attorney ...

Alternative Initial ResponseIn some instances, a lack of staff resources for either agency will mean that one of theinvestigators is not immediately available to conduct the needed initial interview. Suchdelays could place a child at further risk. Under these circumstances, the initial interviewwith a child may be conducted by only one of the investigative partners. If, for example,no law enforcement officer is immediately available, the DCBS worker will respond andconduct initial interview(s). The worker will then contact the assigned law enforcementofficer and provide detail on the initial assessment. When completing the 72-hournotice on the DCBS-115, the worker will document the notice to law enforcement. TheDCBS will always work under the statutory and regulatory time lines for immediatelyinitiating an investigation of child sexual abuse upon receipt of a report (KRS 620.040;905 KAR 1:330E, Section 4).Information Received from ReportingKentucky statute currently outlines the type of information to be sought from anindividual initiating a report of child sexual abuse (KRS 620.030). Regardless ofwhether the report is initially made to the law enforcement agency or to the DCBS thefollowing information should be obtained, when possible, to assist investigators:Child's name, date of birth, age, address, the current location of the alleged victim, thename and address of the child's parents or caretakers, the reason why the report isbeing made, the type and circumstances of alleged abuse, where the abuse is allegedto have occurred, how long it has gone on, how the reporter knows of this situation, whoelse has knowledge, the name of the alleged perpetrator and whether that individualhas access to the child named in the report or other children who may be potentialvictims, whether the reporter knows of the presence of any physical evidence, andwhether there are any known witnesses to the abuse.Social Worker SafetyLaw enforcement, upon request of the DCBS, shall accompany the worker on all childsexual abuse investigations where worker safety is believed to be a concern.24