NCJ Number
51625
Date Published
1978
Length
71 pages
Annotation
THE GROWING USE OF MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAMS FOR CHILD ABUSE INTERVENTION AND TREATMENT, TYPES OF TEAMS USED, AND METHODS OF OPERATION ARE SUMMARIZED. A LIST OF PROGRAMS USING THIS APPROACH IS APPENDED.
Abstract
A MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM IS A TEAM OF PROFESSIONALS FROM A VARIETY OF DISCIPLINES, OFTEN REPRESENTING DIFFERENT AGENCIES, WORKING TOGETHER FOR WELL-DEFINED PURPOSES. THESE PURPOSES MAY INCLUDE COORDINATION, DIAGNOSIS OR IDENTIFICATION, PREVENTION, TREATMENT, CONSULTATION, AND EDUCATION. THIS DOCUMENT GIVES AN OVERVIEW OF THE GROWTH OF MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAMS, THEIR ADVANTAGES, AND THEIR USUAL MEMBERSHIP COMPOSITION. IT THEN DESCRIBES 51 PROGRAMS WHICH USE A MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH, AND GIVES DATA ON THEIR SERVICES, CLIENTELE, STAFFING, AND FUNDING. THE GUIDELINES DEVELOPED BY THE VIRGINIA STATE DEPARTMENT OF WELFARE AND THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WELFARE ARE ALSO INCLUDED. A TYPOLOGY OF MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAMS, BASED ON THE TEAM'S ORGANIZATIONAL LOCUS, IS PRESENTED. THE OVERVIEW FINDS THAT MOST MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAMS CONTAIN BOTH MEDICAL AND SOCIAL SERVICES PERSONNEL. SOME CONTAIN A LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE (FROM THE POLICE, PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE, OR COURTS) AND OTHERS CONTAIN TEACHERS OF SCHOOL SUPERVISORY PERSONNEL. MOST TEAMS ARE EITHER HOSPITAL-BASED OR SOCIAL SERVICE-BASED. THE HOSPITAL APPROACH IS REVIEWED BY EXAMINING THE WORK OF SINAI HOSPITAL, BALTIMORE, MD., AND THAT OF BOSTON, MASS., CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL. IT IS FOUND THAT MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAMS GIVE BETTER SERVICE MORE ECONOMICALLY AND EFFECTIVELY AND REDUCE THE NUMBER OF REINJURED CHILDREN. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES BE ORGANIZED REGIONALLY, WITH STATE-ADMINISTERED MULTIDISCIPLINARY PROGRAMS PROVIDING ACUTE CARE, LONG-TERM THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTION, EDUCATION, EVALUATION, AND RESEARCH. EXTENSIVE FOOTNOTES ARE INCLUDED AND REFERENCES ARE APPENDED. (GLR)