The Freestanding Multidisciplinary Team (FSMDT) program accomplishes this task by enhancing the effective functioning of teams, respective disciplines, and community partnerships, as well as maximizing the professional development of those in the field of child maltreatment.
What are Freestanding Multidisciplinary Teams?
FSMDTs consist of professionals from prosecution (i.e., District Attorney), law enforcement, Child Welfare Services (Oklahoma Department of Human Services), medicine, mental health, domestic violence (recommended), and other related fields that promote coordination and teamwork needed to ensure a timely and appropriate response to investigations of child maltreatment. FSMDTs conduct formalized case reviews that allow team members to immediately share information and eliminate duplicate efforts.
The Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Approach:
The MDT approach is designed to reduce the risk of the investigative process from inadvertently causing additional adversity or trauma to child victims. The term "Freestanding Multidisciplinary Team" refers to a team in Oklahoma that is not used by a Children's Advocacy Center (CAC) for its accreditation.