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

the perpetrator to vacate the residence are optimal (KRS 403). Even where the family'sresponse to the crisis is such that it is deemed necessary for the child to be removedfrom the home for a short period, every effort must still be made to remove the suspectand restrict that individual's influence on the family. Options may include the following:a) The non-offending parent may seek an emergency protective order on behalf ofthe child victim pursuant to KRS 403;b) Though not as effective as a protective order, the non-offending parent may seeka restraining order as part of a decision to obtain a legal separation and solecustody of the child; orc) The filing of a dependency petition to bring the family under the jurisdiction of thecourt and seek orders limiting perpetrator access to the child.Notifications and ReferralsThe law enforcement/social worker investigative team should also have agreed uponprocedures for when to notify the full multidisciplinary team of the investigation of areported case. While most often, this notification would occur during the course of aregular meeting, there may be instances, including the death of a child, where the fullteam should be notified immediately.Procedures for initiating referrals for mental health or medical services needed by thechild should also be established. The full multidisciplinary team should agree upon thisspecific arrangement.Investigative Protocols• Guidelines and procedures will vary from team to team. Teams are encouragedto personalize protocols to the needs of a specific jurisdiction;• Guidelines should be clear and comprehensive, both for the experienced andinexperienced investigator;• Protocols should use simple, not compound sentences such that each sentenceaddresses only one issue. Parts of compound sentences, which direct severaldifferent actions, may be missed and thus not addressed by the investigator;• Protocols should be flexible enough to cover varied circumstances;• Protocols should substantively set out parameters and responsibilities of eachinvestigatory agency because professionals are not always aware of the extentand limitations of other agencies' responsibilities;• The protocols should state the type of cases to be investigated. While childsexual abuse joint investigations are statutorily mandated, the multi-disciplinaryjoint investigation approach is useful to other types of child maltreatment and canbe encouraged;• Protocols should address procedures for individual agency and inter-agencyresponsibilities in investigating maltreatment, including time frames, decision26