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CITY SECRWTARY
ALLIANCE FOR CHILDREN CONTRACTNO. lYvlC
si. R 1017 MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
We, the undersigned, by and through our supervisory heads, (and through our designated
representatives, listed below) do hereby agree to the following policy supporting the creation,
development, and implementation of Children's Advocacy Centers in the County of Tarrant, Texas.
To wit:
At present the number of child sexual and physical abuse cases in Tarrant County is increasing with
alarming frequency, representing not only an immediate danger to each child victim involved, but
also a continuing threat to the mental, physical and emotional welfare and safety of Tarrant County.
We recognize that the current systems that deal with these young victims, although comprised of
agencies committed to the protection and best interest of every child in Tarrant County, cannot
meet many of their needs in practice.
We are a system designed for and oriented to adults, a system that has few provisions or concessions
to the specific needs and fragile state of those children who are, through no choice of their own,
expected to enter into yet another threatening adult environment.
As participants in this system, we recognize many children within our current system are often
"revictimized" by excessive interviews, lack of communication between agencies, incomplete
investigations and the unavailability of immediate and long term medical and therapeutic
treatment.
Having recognized these problems, we are supportive of the creation, development and
implementation of child-oriented facilities, which serve as a cooperative effort between the
undersigned agencies, wherein a multi-disciplinary approach is utilized in the investigation,
prosecution, medical and therapeutic treatment involving child victims of sexual and physical abuse.
We do further agree that the stated purpose of each Alliance For Children center is set forth as
follows:
1 . To develop, achieve, and maintain interagency and inter-professional cooperation and
coordination in the case management and handling of child sexual and physical abuse cases
(those specific cases to be enumerated and outlined in agreed interagency protocol);
2. To provide for a multidisciplinary team and case management approach which is focused first
on the suspected child victim's needs, second on the law enforcement, prosecution, and civil
proceedings involved, and third on the family members who are supportive of the child and
whose interests are consistent with the best interest of the child;
3. To obtain evidence useful both for criminal prosecution as well as protective action in civil
proceedings;
4. To provide extensive, initial case screening and validation procedures so as to minimize the
number of false allegations of sexual and physical abuse reports, with the early detection of
such cases leading to the timely exoneration of innocent parties;
OFFICIAL RECORD
CITY SECRETARY
FT.WORTH,TX � 1
5. To provide and coordinate the therapeutic treatment program for child victims and their
families;
6. To reduce to an absolute minimum number of interviews of child sexual and physical abuse
victims so asto minimize the "revictimization" of the child;
7. To provide for the extensive and continued training and education of those professionals
working within the multidisciplinary team center, and for those outside professionals in the
community who deal with child victims of sexual and physical abuse;
8. To serve as a continuing resource and focus of information, education, and referral for the
community, and for future as well as existing multidisciplinary team facilities within the State of
Texas and nationwide.
While each of the undersigned agencies has specific responsibilities with regard to the investigation,
prosecution, medical and therapeutic treatment of cases of child sexual and physical abuse, we do
hereby acknowledge that the multidisciplinary team approach through the institution of Alliance For
Children, in the County of Tarrant Texas, will serve to enhance the individual efforts of each agency
and will unify our community, through these respective agencies, and through public support and
awareness, in the daily struggle to ensure the protection and preservation of the children of Tarrant
County.
All State and Federal confidentiality laws will be followed in connection with this agreement. This
agreement can be terminated by any party without cause of giving written notice to the other
parties.
This agreement shall become effective upon signature of the parties listed below:
Will Johnson, ief ( t
� e)/ 4Tracy hief (date)
Arlington Police De artment Mansfi� olice Department
,
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Jeff Gibson, Chief (date) Oorfh
e ue, Chief (date)
Bedford Police Department 'chland Hills Police Department
Michael Holder, Chief (date) Barbara Childress, Chief (date)
Colleyville Police Department Richland Hills Police Department
t 1
Nancy Cyc I, Presi', nt (date J e B ndon, Chief date
Cook Chil=-d's Medical Center So h ke Police Department
2
I-Ee
ae rn Chief (date) Sharen Wilson, Criminal District Attorney (date)
s Po ce Department Tarrant County
0"e /Z2—
Joel Fitzgerald, Chief (date) Dee Anderson, Sheriff (dat )
Fort Worth Police Department Tarrant County
Steve Dye, Chief (date) Kristene Blackstone, (date)
Grand Prairie Police Department CPS Associate Commissioner
Department of Family and Protective Services
1,6
Eddi Salame, Chief (date) eth Engelk ng, (date)
Grapevine Police Department APS Associate Commissioner
Department of Family and Protective Services
Cody Phillips, Chief (date) Je Shaw, (date)
Haltom City Police Department CCI Associate Commissioner
Department of Family and Protective Services
1C
Steve Moore, Chief ( at Glen Fowler, Chief (dat )
Hurst Police Department Watauga Police Department
Michael Wilson, Chief (date) J.,Pqevering, Chief (date)
Keller Police Department White Settlement Police Department
J 'e Evans, Executive Dire for (date)
Alliance For Children
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Executed on the 1/ day of February, 2017.
CITY OF FORT WORTH:
By: 1
Valerie R. Washington
Assistant City Manager
Date: 2/�II--y-
APPROVED AS TO FORM
AND LEGALITY:
By:
Denis McElroy
Jo gvao- Assistant City Attorney
ATTE
By:
M ry se _
Ci cret y 'a
?L'XAS
Contract Authorization:
M&C: Not Required
1295 Certification No.: Not Required
Contract Compliance Manager:
By signing I acknowledge that I am the person responsible
for the monitoring and administration of this contract, including
ensuring 1 performance and reporting requirements.
Ky
mes Rodriguez
Cticf OFFICIAL RECORD
Senior Contract Com liance Specialist CITY SECRETARY
FT.WORTH,TX