As part of our national accreditation, each Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) must have a written interagency agreement or memorandum of understanding signed by an authorized representative of each multidisciplinary team (MDT) member or partner agency. These agreements formalize interagency cooperation and the commitment to MDT/CAC practice and policy ensuring continuity of practice even when personnel, heads of departments, and elected officials change.

Review the Interagency Agreement

NORTHERN PLAINS CHILDREN’S ADVOCACY CENTER, Minot, Bottineau, and Williston, ND

RED RIVER CHILDREN’S ADVOCACY CENTER, Fargo and Grand Forks, ND

DAKOTA CHILDREN’S ADVOCACY CENTER, Bismarck, Dickinson, Watford City, Standing Rock, and Jamestown, ND

CHILDREN’S ADVOCACY CENTERS INTERAGENCY AGREEMENT

We, the undersigned agencies participating in a multi-disciplinary team, by and through our directors/administrators and through our designated representatives, do hereby agree to the following guidelines concerning the Children’s Advocacy Centers (CACs) serving North Dakota:

The Northern Plains Children’s Advocacy Center

in the City of Minot, County of Ward, State of North Dakota;

in the City of Bottineau, County of Bottineau, State of North Dakota;

in the City of Williston, County of Williams, State of North Dakota;

The Red River Children’s Advocacy Center

in the City of Fargo, County of Cass, State of North Dakota,

in the City of Grand Forks, County of Grand Forks, State of North Dakota; and/or,

The Dakota Children’s Advocacy Center

in the City of Bismarck, County of Burleigh, State of North Dakota,

in the City of Dickinson, County of Stark, State of North Dakota,

in the City of Watford City, County of McKenzie, State of North Dakota,

in the City of Fort Yates, County of Sioux, State of North Dakota,

in the City of Jamestown, County of Stutsman, State of North Dakota.

We have established a cooperative effort between the undersigned agencies, wherein a multidisciplinary team approach may be utilized in the investigation, assessment, referral for prosecution, medical and therapeutic treatment involving child victims of abuse.

Each of the undersigned agencies has specific responsibilities with regard to the investigation, assessment, medical/therapeutic treatment, and prosecution of cases of child abuse. We agree to support the concept and adhere to the guidelines as outlined. We understand that on occasion exceptions to these guidelines will be necessary. We, the undersigned, do hereby acknowledge that the multidisciplinary team approach, through the institutions of the Children’s Advocacy Centers serving North Dakota will unify our community in the daily struggle to ensure the protection of our children.

Guidelines

  1. The members of the multidisciplinary teams will collaborate to ensure that the best interest and protection of children will be served.
  2. Each collaborating agency agrees to utilize a multidisciplinary team approach which includes:
    • Initial interviews of children will be conducted at a CAC whenever possible. Reasonable efforts will be made by each agency to coordinate each step of the investigation/assessment process in order to minimize the number of interviews and interviewers to which the child is subjected, thus reducing the potential trauma to the child.
    • Each agency will coordinate with CAC staff to determine the need for, timing, and detail of the medical evaluation. Coordination of the medical evaluation is essential for reducing duplicative interviewing and utilizing information from the medical evaluation to assure appropriate follow-up, treatment, and referral.
    • Trauma Informed Mental Health Assessment and Treatment are coordinated by the multidisciplinary team for victims and their families.
    • Advocacy services will be provided on-site or as otherwise coordinated by the team throughout the investigation.
    • Agencies participating in current investigations are expected to attend Case Review meetings as scheduled.
  3. The role of a law enforcement agency is to investigate and determine whether or not a crime has been committed, and to present information to the proper authorities for prosecution.
  4. The role of children’s protective services (CPS) is for the protection of children from harm by their parents or others responsible for their care. CPS is responsible for conducting an assessment to determine the degree of risk to the children, to make efforts to ensure their safety, and to provide services for rehabilitation to the family.
  5. The role of the prosecutor is to assess the legal aspects of the case in accordance with his/her prosecutorial role.
  6. All agencies will be invited and encouraged to attend CAC-sponsored training.
  7. It is expressly understood that each agency will work within its departmental mandates and policies. Nothing contained herein supersedes the statutes, rules, and regulations governing each agency. To the extent that any provision of this agreement is inconsistent with any such statute, rule or any regulation, the statute, rule or regulation shall prevail.
  8. Collaborating agencies/organizations agree to provide trained professionals with skills in interviewing, assessment, and investigation to handle cases of child abuse.
  9. Any conflict or divergence from the protocols and procedures that occur between agencies regarding cases being addressed at the CACs shall be discussed by the designated agency representative and the CAC director. If not resolved, the issue will be taken to the respective CAC’s Board of Directors for resolution.
  10. All personnel participating at the CACs agree to maintain confidentiality of all records and information gathered on all child abuse cases and preserve the privileged nature of said records and information within the bounds allowed by law (NDCC 27-20.1 through 27.20.4 and NDCC 50-25.1). They also agree that they will immediately share pertinent case information with the appropriate agency except as prohibited by law; and will provide required reporting information for the National Children’s Alliance case tracking data system.
  11. This Interagency Agreement shall be reviewed annually by the multidisciplinary team. Any desired modifications will be discussed and decided by each CAC’s Board. If after notifying all agencies any concerns regarding changes exist, a meeting will be scheduled between those agencies and the respective CAC director to discuss all concerns. The CAC director will work with the agency and CAC Boards to negotiate an agreeable solution. These guidelines and policies and procedures may be modified as follows:
    • To conform to existing or new statutes, rules, regulations, or departmental policies which may conflict with any provisions of these guidelines;
    • To better meet the needs of families and children in the provision of child abuse related services;
    • To improve the procedures set forth in these guidelines;
    • To add or delete agencies as parties to these guidelines;
    • For such other purpose as the parties may agree.
  12. As agencies become parties to this agreement, they agree to follow the guidelines and provisions as outlined in this agreement and the respective CAC’s Policies and Procedures.