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

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Structure of Case ReviewFacilitating Case ReviewsOne person should be identified to coordinate and facilitate the case review discussionprocess. Having one person adds to the effectiveness and efficiency of the process.Team members will value the review process if the facilitator makes the revieworganized and purposeful. Case reviews may be facilitated by a designated teammember as a regular assignment or may be assigned on a rotating basis. Prosecutorswho serve as team members often serve in the capacity of facilitator for case reviews.Which Cases Are ReviewedAll reported cases of child sexual abuse shall be reviewed by the multidisciplinary team(KRS 431.600). Cases should be reviewed by the team on a regular basis from theinitiating report through all court proceedings (both criminal and/or dependency.) Casesin which there is no court action shall be regularly reviewed until the agencies involvedclose the case and the team determines that all review objectives have been met.Teams may also include the review of cases involving the serious physical injury ordeath of a child in their local protocol.Who Brings Cases ForwardAll team members shall be equally empowered and encouraged to bring cases beforethe team for review. Because KRS 620.030 allows for the reporting of child sexualabuse to multiple reporting agencies, the team should decide which reports eachagency will be responsible for presenting to the team as new cases for review.Process of Case ReviewThe case review process should include the following:• The presentation of newly reported allegations of child sexual abuse since thelast team meeting;• The review of pending cases and a plan for future action;• The development of strategies for meeting the emotional support and treatmentneeds of the child and non-offending family members;• The consideration of the child's protection and other safety issues;• The promotion of efficient and appropriate disposition of cases as they proceedthrough the criminal justice system (KRS 620.040(7)(c)) and/or proceedingsunder KRS Chapter 620;• The input of team members regarding prosecution and sentencing decisions.32
Information Presented During the Case ReviewPertinent information needed for presentation of the case includes the names of theinvestigating law enforcement officer(s) and DCBS worker(s); the name and respectiveages of victim(s); the name of the alleged perpetrator; and the allegations or criminalcharges. Additional information needed for a meaningful discussion may include detailsof the victim's statement; other witness statements; medical examination; victim andoffender treatment information; offender's statement; protection plan and issues; abilityof the non-offending parent to support the child; and status of court proceedings.It is recommended that one team member initiate discussion of a case using a casestaffing form and that each presentation should conform, if possible, to a time limitestablished by the team based upon the number of cases to be reviewed. Following theinitial presentation, other members may then offer additional information regarding thevictim, alleged perpetrator and other information identified above.Case Review FormInformation concerning each case being reviewed should be documented on casestaffing forms that are generally maintained by the prosecutor (See Appendix E). Notestaken by the prosecutor on the case form are considered a prosecutor's work product,but records brought or made by other team members may be discoverable, for thisreason it is preferable that other team members not bring records or leave the meetingwith notes taken during the staffing. Copies of the case form are not distributed to teammembers.Number of Cases ReviewedEach team must determine the number of cases it can competently review. If it appearsthat the number of reported cases consistently exceeds that capacity, an additionalteam or teams will need to be established. All teams then operate on a parallel basis,with the ultimate decision regarding prosecution of any case resting with theCommonwealth's attorney (felony) or county attorney (misdemeanor.)Notification of Cases Being ReviewedEach team must determine a method by which team members will be notified of whichcases are scheduled for review. The notification process must provide confidentiality tothe victim and alleged perpetrators whose cases are being reviewed.Privileged Communication and ConfidentialityKentucky law provides for the confidentiality of records and case information that will bereviewed and discussed by the team.33
Page 1 and 2: KENTUCKY MULTIDISCIPLINARY COMMISSI
Page 3 and 4: INTRODUCTIONStatement of the Proble
Page 5 and 6: sexual victimization of Kentucky's
Page 7 and 8: Kentucky Multidisciplinary Teams: C
Page 9 and 10: Kentucky Multidisciplinary Commissi
Page 11 and 12: ROLES OF MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM MEM
Page 13 and 14: should establish procedures for the
Page 15 and 16: upon by the prosecutor and local te
Page 17 and 18: or psychiatrists licensed pursuant
Page 19 and 20: workers providing case work service
Page 21 and 22: OPERATION OF THE MULTIDISCIPLINARY
Page 23 and 24: JOINT INVESTIGATION FUNCTION OF THE
Page 25 and 26: Investigative ProceduresEstablishin
Page 27 and 28: making, information sharing, hierar
Page 29 and 30: experience). In cases originating i
Page 31: CASE REVIEW FUNCTION OF THE MULTIDI
Page 35 and 36: health agency's overall consent for
Page 37 and 38: TRAINING FOR MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM
Page 39: fully functioning. The system will

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