HomeMy WebLinkAboutContract 48637 s OFFICIAL RECORD
CITY SECRETARY CITY SECRETARYL
CONTRACT N0,
fFT.WORTH,TR I Alliance For Children Working Protocols
Miss on Statement
The mission of Alliance For Children is to protect children of Tarrant County from child abuse
through teamed investigations, healing services, and community education.
Operational Guidelines
Case Referral
Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) and Tarrant County law
enforcement agencies will refer child sexual abuse cases, serious child physical abuse cases,
medical child abuse, and child fatality investigations to Alliance For Children (AFC) centers.
DFPS will assume responsibility for referring cases in which they have involvement. Law
enforcement agencies will assume responsibility to refer those cases that do not fall under
the jurisdiction of DFPS. Alliance For Children serves victims of sexual and physical child abuse
in Tarrant County and who are considered to be at risk of further abuse unless immediate
intervention occurs.
When scheduling clients to come to the centers, the agency partner scheduling clients will
notify the center staff of the appointment.
Multidisciplinary Team Enhancement Program
The Multidisciplinary Team Enhancement Program (MEP) is designed to strengthen and
sustain the multidisciplinary team. MEP will assist the coordination and collaboration between
the multidisciplinary team and ensure timely access to the full array of services for children
and families encompassed in the AFC case criteria. Through review of DFPS intakes, MEP will
identify cases that meet AFC Protocols and work towards coordinating services to assist and
support the investigative agencies involved with investigations, assessment, and intervention
on behalf of children and families involved in allegations of child abuse.
One of the primary tools utilized in MEP is the sharing of intake reports generated by the
Department of Family and Protective Services Statewide Intake and electronically delivered
to AFC. All offense reports received by the Crimes Against Children Unit (CACU) or CAC
detective can be provided to MEP for identical coordination, support, and collaborative
efforts. All reports provided to MEP shall not be construed to change, reduce, or expand the
authority or jurisdiction of AFC or MDT Partners Agency as it relates to initiating and
conducting investigations, assessments, and/or interventions. No part of MEP supplants any
statutorily required duties of AFC or MDT Agencies.
Victim Interviews
A significant purpose of the digitally recorded interview is to reduce the number of times the
alleged victim is interviewed, as well as reducing the number of individuals who interview the
alleged victim or child witness. In AFC centers, alleged victims or child witnesses are
interviewed by Alliance For Children interviewers. The digital interview is not used as a
substitute for the victim testifying at trial. `
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8 2017 Alliance For Children Protocols 1
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Department of Family and Protective Services Field Screenings
Department of Family and Protective Services workers will screen alleged victims of child
abuse and neglect who do not meet the criteria for an immediate forensic interview. This
initial audio-recorded screening, when appropriate, will be used to determine other abuse or
safety issues in the home and is information with which the DFPS investigator can determine
whether a forensic interview is indicated.
Forensic Interviews
Alliance For Children utilizes a semi-structured forensic interview process, utilizing foundational
and ongoing cross training received by the interviewer. This process provides investigators an
investigative-based interview that is non-therapeutic, but is conducted to provide the
interviewed party a platform to share information regarding something experienced or
witnessed. Best practice is that all children/adults are brought to an AFC center so their
forensic interview is digitally recorded and for the interviews to be conducted by specially
trained forensic interviewers, providing legally sound, developmentally appropriate, and
culturally competent investigative interviews. Only in the most compelling of circumstances
will off-site interviews be utilized, a decision reached by the investigative team. When off-site
forensic interviews are arranged, identical coordination between forensic interviewers and
partner agencies will take place, and arrangements will be made for partners to observe the
interviews via Alliance For Children's mobile forensic interviewing equipment, if possible.
All efforts will be made by AFC staff/investigative agencies to provide translating/interpreting
services as needed for the forensic interview. Along with the party to be interviewed, only
the forensic interviewer and translator/interpreter will be in the interview room. Use of
interview tools, including the introduction of evidence in the forensic interview, will be at the
discretion of the forensic interviewer based on case circumstances and input from MDT
partners.
Criteria for children/adults receiving immediate forensic interviews include:
• Children 17 and under making an outcry of sexual abuse to someone considered to
be a professional under Section 261 .101 of the Texas Family Code
• Perpetrator admits to sexual abuse of a child
• Child witnesses of sexual abuse
• Children pictured in child pornography
• Severe child physical abuse as determined by the investigating agencies
• Drug endangered children
• Children who have witnessed violent crimes
• Children/adults with speech communication needs
• Children/adults with cognitive disabilities
• Allegations which include a suspect in a position of authority (teacher, medical
professional, coach, faith leader, etc)
• DFPS supervisor requests an immediate interview after staffing the case with the
Investigations Program Director
Children in other situations will be considered for forensic interviews on a case by case basis.
Alliance For Children Protocols 2
Forensic Interview Process
1 . The forensic interview request may be generated by the MDT Enhancement Program
or requesting agency. The requesting agency may initiate a forensic interview referral
by providing information on the Forensic Interview Request Form and submitting it
electronically by email. If the FI request is made via the MDT Enhancement Program,
as approved by the investigative parties, the referral form will be completed by MDT
Enhancement Program staff. The forensic interview will be coordinated with all
partners' schedules, as well as the schedule of the family, to set the forensic interview
as soon as possible. The forensic interview will be scheduled at the AFC center closest
to the family's home, with exceptions on a case-by-case basis.
2. Best practice requires the presence of both the DFPS investigator and detective in the
monitoring room to observe the interview as it takes place. If the detective or DFPS
investigator assigned to the case is not available, the forensic interviewer will consult
with his/her immediate supervisors.
3. Whenever possible, the interviewer digitally records the interviews of all children at one
of the Alliance For Children centers.
4. Detectives and DFPS investigators will observe the interview through closed circuit
monitoring at the time the interview is taking place. The interviewer may leave the
room to discuss additional questions with detectives and DFPS investigators as
needed.
5. Only agency representatives from DFPS, law enforcement, Criminal District Attorney's
Office, or staff with Alliance For Children may observe the forensic interview. Learning
experiences for interns or volunteers can be approved by AFC's Director of Program
Services or Executive Director. Should non-multidisciplinary team members request to
see the interview, requests must be made to the involved investigative agencies.
6. Certain cases may merit the use of a secondary/subsequent interview or multi-session
forensic interview (MSFT). The decision to proceed with a MSFI or
secondary/subsequent interview will be made by the Criminal District Attorney's
office, in consultation with law enforcement investigators and the forensic interviewer.
If a.MSFI is not recommended, an alternative recommendation may be made by the
team.
The forensic interviewer may refer the family to the Family Advocate Program for the
evaluation of service needs while investigative parties pursue actions or conversations
towards decision-making on their respective cases.
Secondary/Subsequent Forensic Interview
In certain cases, clients may need more than one opportunity to tell what has happened to
them or what they have witnessed. The purpose of a secondary interview is to gather
additional information that may not have been disclosed in the initial forensic interview.
These interviews will be conducted by the original forensic interviewer (or designated forensic
interviewer per the team). They are requested by the investigative agencies involved in the
allegations, and may include new allegations involving the same perpetrator or recantations.
A secondary/subsequent forensic interview will only take place after a decision is made by
an Assistant Criminal District Attorney, in consultation with law enforcement investigators and
the forensic interviewer.
Alliance For Children Protocols 3
Multi-Session Forensic Interview
A Multi-Session Forensic Interview (MSFT) is a forensic interview completed over multiple
sessions for children and cases with special considerations. Those may be: children with
communication or cognitive disabilities, children who have suffered extreme trauma, victims
of human trafficking, preschool aged children, or children from diverse cultural backgrounds.
If a MSFI is recommended, conversations with the caregiver will be held regarding limiting
any questioning or auxiliary conversations pertaining to the allegations of abuse. These
conversations will be directed by the investigators involved.
MSFIs will be arranged by the original forensic interviewer (or designated forensic interviewer
per the team), coordinating with the Department of Family and Protective Services worker
and law enforcement. Best practice dictates the investigative parties are present. Digital
recordings and all products of each session will be retained by the forensic interviewer and
will be provided to DFPS, law enforcement, and prosecution consistent with Texas Family
Code, Section 264.408. at the conclusion of the final MSFT.
Recantation Interview
If any MDT member receives information that the child is recanting their statement,
notification will be made with all investigative parties involved and arrangements will be
made to schedule a forensic interview with the child as soon as possible.
Referral Process to Medical Team
Sexual Abuse
Emergent: Call the Child Advocacy Resource and Evaluation (CARE) Team as soon as
possible (same day) for any case with a child age 16 or under alleging contact of mouth,
vagina or anus in the past 120 hours. The Crimes Against Children detective will contact the
CARE Team examiner on-call through the office or Dispatch to determine whether the
Emergency Room or CARE Team is to evaluate the child to best meet the child's and law
enforcement's need.
Examiner on-call should be contacted directly to discuss each case and arrange an
appropriate appointment. Call (682) 885-3953. Do not go directly to the hospital until the
examiner is contacted to avoid patient and family inconveniences.
Scheduled: For any child 16 or under alleging sexual contact greater than 120 hours or if
there is risk of partial disclosure or recantation call CARE Team to schedule an appointment
through the CARE Team office or by contacting the examiner on-call if questions of
management arise.
Physical Abuse: For incidents of physical abuse that occur during working hours, the referring
agency will contact the CARE Team. The medical provider will determine if the child should
be seen in CARE Team or the Emergency Department. After 4:30 pm Monday through Friday
and on weekends, these patients should continue to go through the emergency
department.
A. Injuries that should be referred for evaluation:
Alliance For Children Protocols 4
1. Age 0-6 months: Any injury
2. Age 6 months and older:
a. Bruises, lacerations, or burns to protected, fleshy, or flexor surfaces-for
example: inner thighs, abdomen, neck, face, ear, genitalia
b. Bruises, lacerations, or burns showing an object pattern -for example: belt loop,
cigarette burn, curling iron
c. Oral injuries, especially lacerations under the tongue or to the roof of the mouth
d. Fractures, especially metaphyseal fractures, rib fractures, spiral fractures of the
humerus or femur, scapula fractures
e. Head trauma
3. Age 0-13: Positive urine or blood screen for alcohol or drugs of abuse
B. Concerns for neglect: Call to request a case review
C. At risk: Siblings of children requiring hospitalization for maltreatment require an
evaluation of abuse. Staff from the investigating agency must accompany the child
to the clinic. Evaluations of older siblings by non-medical personnel will be reported
back to the CARE Team.
D. Routine health care/maintenance for abused children should be provided by their
primary caretaker. Previously identified injuries should be rechecked or followed up by
the physician or agency that identified the injuries.
E. For any other concerns, please call for assistance.
F. In an emergency, call 911.
Referral to Alliance For Children Client Services Programs
Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) workers, detectives either housed at an
AFC center or housed elsewhere, and Alliance For Children staff may refer clients who may
need additional support or services to the Alliance For Children Family Advocate Program or
Clinical Program for needs assessment, resource and referral, support services, therapeutic or
case management. The CARE Team from Cook Children's Medical Center may also make
referrals for families as appropriate.
Referral for the AFC Family Advocate Program is made directly to the Family Advocate
located at the center closest to where the family lives. Services offered include:
1. Crisis intervention
2. Education regarding dynamics of abuse
3. Information regarding the MDT
4. Provide.inform at ion regarding crime victim rights
5. Needs assessment for social service needs of both children and caregivers
6. Long term case management services, if appropriate
7. Development of a client service plan, if appropriate
8. Facilitation of needed services from other social services agencies
9. Referral or information provided regarding mental health services as needed by
the family
10. Referral to in-house seasonal programs
11. Court education/accompaniment
Referral for the AFC Clinical Program may include:
Alliance For Children Protocols 5
I . Assessment of clinical needs of both children and caregivers, using nationally
validated standardized assessment tools
2. Development of a client treatment plan
3. Referral to AFC group therapy services for sexually abused children and protective
caregivers
4. Referral to individual counseling services as appropriate for victims of various types
of trauma
5. Use of Evidence Based Practice through Trauma Focused- Cognitive Behavioral
Therapy (TF-CBT) or Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)
6. Referral for more intensive psychosocial assessment, if indicated
Case Review Team Meetings
The Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) staffing is a designated time for review of investigative
action and service provision for child and families who meet the case review criteria. This
serves to provide a platform for effective information sharing and informed decision-making.
This also,serves as an opportunity for MDT partners to provide input regarding services
provided to families, MDT communication, and case decision making. Case review team
meetings occur every other Tuesday morning in the Arlington and Fort Worth centers. At the
Northeast AFC center, staffings occur every other Thursday. MDT Staffing agendas are
shared electronically with team members. Facilitated by MEP staff, the representatives
attending for law enforcement and DFPS are those workers assigned to each case on the
agenda. Immediate supervisors for each agency also attend. Assistant Criminal District
Attorneys from the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney's (DA) Office attend to assess the
legal aspects of the case. Medical personnel from Cook Children's Medical Center attend to
provide consultation on medical findings for child sexual abuse victims and to consult on
physical abuse cases.
AFC Multidisciplinary Team Enhancement Program staff, as well as AFC staff representing the
Forensic Interview Program, Family Advocate Program, and Department of Clinical Services
will also attend staffings to report on the delivery of conducted forensic interviews, needed
support or referral services, and mental health services to client victims.
In situations where the DFPS caseworker or the law enforcement officer assigned to a case is
not housed at an Alliance For Children center, the worker is notified by the AFC MEP
Coordinator prior to the meeting that his/her case is being staffed. If the professional cannot
physically attend the meeting, he/she makes every effort to send case updates through a
supervisor or colleague or directly to the AFC MEP Coordinator. Additional cases meeting
case staffing criteria can be added at any time by a team member. Any actions identified
as needed for a case will be completed by the MDT member designated during the MDT
staffing. Additionally, final dispositions from partner agencies will be tracked by MEP staff.
Case Staffing Criteria
Alliance For Children Protocols 6
Criteria for cases to be staffed at biweekly team review meetings:
General
1 . Any case in which the child victim comes to an AFC center for investigative services
and makes an outcry of abuse or neglect
2. All cases in which the child is removed from the home and placed in the custody of
the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
3. Any case requested to be staffed by an investigator or any other member of a partner
agency
Sexual Abuse
1 . All cases in which the victim is 6 years of age or younger, regardless of whether the
child comes to the center
2. Cases with multiple victims and the alleged offender lives in the same household with
at least one of the victims
3. Cases with one or more victims and multiple perpetrators
Physical Abuse
1 . All cases in which the victim is hospitalized
2. All cases in which the child has serious injury which is defined as bodily injury that
creates a substantial risk of death or that causes-death, serious permanent
disfigurement, or a protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily
member or organ
3. All cases in which the victim is 6 years or younger and the child has fractures or non-
accidental injuries to the head or torso
4. All cases in which the child victim is not mobile and unexplained injuries have
occurred
Child Deaths
All child deaths assigned to investigators will be staffed.
Record Retention
Client Files
Partner Agency
All documents generated by the Department of Family and Protective Services, law
enforcement, and the Criminal District Attorney's Office as the result of a child abuse
investigation or criminal prosecution remain the property of the originating agency.
Duplicates of DFPS and/or law enforcement documents may be included in work product of
the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney's Office. The above information is maintained as
work product of the Tarrant County Criminal DA's Office.
Client files kept by the partner agencies will be maintained for the period of time that the
agencies' internal procedures dictate. These files are stored in the partner agencies' offices
at AFC and are later archived by the partner agencies at off-site locations. These files are
retained in accordance with each agency's internal policies.
Alliance For Children Protocols 7
The MDT Enhancement Program has access to all intake reports provided by DFPS Statement
Intake to AFC and participating partner law enforcement agencies. This data is property of
DFPS and not AFC. Because these intake reports are legally the property of DFPS and AFC
receives only a copy of the intake report that DFPS sends to the associated law enforcement
agency, AFC will follow its own organizational Records Retention Policy as it relates to client
and case file information when determining how and when intake reports will be retained or
destroyed. AFC's MDT partner agencies, including but not limited to DFPS, law enforcement,
and prosecutorial agencies, shall have access to AFC's Records Retention Policy to ensure
they are informed of AFC's practice as it relates to the retention and destruction of intake
report.
In the event that Alliance For Children is subpoenaed for client records as described above,
the attorney is directed to the partner agency that is the originator of those records has
possession of the records.
Alliance For Children Client Files
AFC collects a self-disclosing client information form from the parents or caregivers of
suspected victims of child abuse at the time they first enter the center for either investigative
or rehabilitative services. This form does not deal with the abuse incident, but collects
demographic information on the family. When the information is collected, it is entered into
the internet-based data collection maintained by Alliance For Children.
All Alliance for Children client information is confidential, and all state and federal
confidentiality laws will be followed in connection with these working protocols. Alliance For
Children maintains Family Advocacy Program files on client families where service needs are
indicated. These families may be referred by the Department of Family and Protective
Services, law enforcement, the Tarrant County Criminal DA's Office, other Children's
Advocacy Centers, or Cook Children's Medical Center for ongoing services. The Family
Advocate Program file is maintained electronically. This electronic file may contain scanned
releases of information, needs assessments for the family, resource assistance applications, or
other relevant paperwork pertaining to the case management services provided to the
family. Case notes are entered into AFC's data collection system.
Family Advocacy Program files are the property of Alliance For Children. The Family
Advocate working with the family, Director of Program Services, and the Executive Director
are employees who have regular access to the file. This sharing of information is possible
through the signed release of information form in the case file and the mandated
responsibility to report information about suspected abuse. Information sharing is also made
possible through the Texas Family Code, Chapter 264, Subchapter E, pertaining to Children's
Advocacy Centers and Alliance For Children's Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
In the event that a subpoena for AFC client records is received, AFC will notify participating
MDT agencies and will provide copies of records requested and attend court proceedings as
specified. The Tarrant County Criminal DA's Office will be notified by AFC if opposing counsel
issues a subpoena for records.
Alliance For Children Protocols 8
Forensic Interviews
All forensic interviews are electronically recorded and provided on DVD to the involved
investigative agency representatives. Ownership of the recorded interviews is determined in
accordance with Texas Family Code, Section 264.408(d).
After the interview, the DVD is logged into the AFC forensic interview log that is maintained
by the Alliance For Children Forensic Interviewer Team. The DVD is given to the requesting
investigative agency for inclusion in their case file and/or storage. AFC will not store DVDs in
any of the Alliance For Children centers.
All DVDs are maintained and destroyed according to the internal protocols of the
Department of Family and Protective Services, law enforcement, or the Criminal District
Attorney's Office. Alliance For Children is not involved in those decisions.
Alliance For Children is committed to the education of students interested in the field of child
abuse, law enforcement, social services, child and family development, or
counseling/therapy. AFC supervises interns in various programs within the agency, and
training for those students may include observation of a forensic interview. Interns are not
provided copies regarding interviews nor can they take notes identifying the victim or family.
On occasion, the DFPS worker or law enforcement detective may show the DVD to the
suspect, protective caregiver, or to attorneys involved in the case. At no time does Alliance
For Children staff allow individuals access to view the DVD; it must be done by the
investigating (CPS or LE agencies) or prosecutors.
Alliance For Children Forensic Interview staff maintains documentation of a brief synopsis of
the interview, containing a short summary of the details gathered during the forensic
interview. An electronic copy of the interview is provided to the investigating agencies when
the professionals are given the DVD of the interview.
As Alliance For Children does not possess recorded statements of clients forensically
interviewed, any requests for DVDs via subpoenas are redirected to the agency that has
ownership of the DVD.
Medical Records
AFC does not maintain, nor does it have access to client medical records. Those records
belong to Cook Children's Medical Center (CCMC) and may be included in the case
records of the Department of Family and Protective Services and law enforcement agencies
investigating the case. Sharing of medical records between CCMC, DFPS, and local law
enforcement agencies occur through protocols set between those agencies and in
accordance with state and federal law.
Mental Health Records
If clients referred to the AFC Clinical Program elect to participate in AFC's group or individual
counseling program, the resulting mental health records are the property of Alliance For
Children. Only the treating therapist, Clinical Supervisor, and AFC Director of Clinical Services
will have access to these records. Under Texas Health and Safety Code, Section 61 1 .0045,
the patient also has the right to view these records unless the treating therapist determines
Alliance For Children Protocols 9
that release of any portion of the record would be harmful to the patient's physical, mental,
or emotional health.
Information in the mental health file includes the intake assessment, initial pre-test results of
standardized assessment tests, progress notes from the therapist and the post-test results of
the same assessment tools as the client graduates from the counseling program. At times art
work, poetry, trauma narrative and other client work may be destroyed as part of the
therapeutic and healing process. Information gathered during the course of therapeutic
work will be kept confidential unless it indicates a criminal offense has taken place, or the
clients has shared intent to hurt themselves or others.
The files will be maintained in locked file cabinets at the AFC center where the client
received services or in electronic files.
In the event that a subpoena for AFC client records is received, AFC will provide copies of
records requested and will attend court proceedings as specified. The Tarrant County
Criminal District Attorney's Office will be notified by AFC if opposing counsel issues a
subpoena for records.
Electronic Client Information Files
Alliance For Children utilizes an internet-based client tracking system for case management
purposes.
Ownership and control of the raw data that is inputted into the internet-based platform
continues to belong to the agency that generated the information. For example, if raw data
inputted includes information about medical findings, the information about medical findings
continues to belong to the medical institution that made the findings.
If electronic records are subpoenaed, the subpoena will be redirected to the agency
generating the information.
General Provision
1 . Each agency works with and assists the others and AFC to ensure that the best interest
and protection of children is served. Alliance For Children staff and the immediate
supervisor to each new partner agency staff assigned to a center jointly provide
orientation to the new employee. AFC employees and staff of partner agencies are
also encouraged to attend MDT New Member Orientation. This one-day training
orienting employees to the children's advocacy center model and multidisciplinary
team collaboration is offered several times per year.
2. The appropriate law enforcement agency investigates and gathers information
necessary to determine whether or not a crime has been committed, and presents
information to the proper authorities for prosecution.
3. The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services protects children, the elderly,
and people with disabilities from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. DFPS is responsible
for conducting a civil investigation and taking appropriate actionto protect children
from further harm.
4. The Assistant District Attorneys from the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney's
Office are responsible for assessing the legal aspects of the criminal case in
accordance with their prosecutorial role.
Alliance For Children Protocols 10
5. Cook Children's Medical Center is responsible for providing the medical direction for
Alliance For Children.
6. All efforts are made by each agency to share case information and coordinate each
step of the investigation/assessment process in order to minimize the number of
interviews of children.
7. All agencies participating in current investigations attend Case Review Team meetings
as scheduled.
8. In appropriate situations, emergency staffings for a case may be called outside of
regular staffing schedules. Staffing attendees will include frontline investigators,
immediate supervisors and others deemed appropriate by the team.
9. All agencies' staff may attend training sponsored by AFC. Alliance For Children
provides financial support for professionals and volunteers to attend specialized
training when possible.''
10. All MDT partners will notify AFC staff when an alleged perpetrator is at an AFC Center.
When alleged perpetrators come to AFC for the purpose of completing the
investigation, AFC staff and partner agencies will make efforts to keep alleged
offenders and alleged victims separate.
11 . All community volunteers/interns must meet the criteria.set by AFC in order to qualify
as Alliance For Children volunteers/interns.
12. It is expressly understood that each agency works 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 regulation, the statute, rule, or regulation
shall prevail.
13. All agencies/organizations participating with Alliance For Children agree to provide
specially trained professionals with skills in child abuse, interviewing, assessment, and
investigation to be jointly assigned as teams to handle appropriate cases of child
abuse.
14. Any conflicts that occur between agencies regarding cases being addressed by the
centers shall be taken to immediate supervisors. If not resolved, then the dispute will
be addressed by a meeting between designated agency representatives and the
Executive Director of Alliance For Children.
15. All personnel and agencies involved with the operations of AFC agree to maintain
confidentiality of all records and information gathered on all child sexual and physical
abuse cases in accordance with applicable laws, including Texas Family Code,
Chapter 264.
16. All agencies/organizations participating in an AFC center will share pertinent case
information with the appropriate agency as requested. In situations involving public
agency, medical staff or Alliance For Children staff as suspected offenders,
confidentiality will be maintained and these cases will not be staffed in the MDT
staffing sessions.
17. Alliance For Children's Memorandum of Understanding shall be reviewed and shall be
modified as determined by the Executive Director and interagency partners by the
execution of a modified agreement, and the appropriate agencies will be notified.
This Agreement may be modified:
a. to conform to existing or new statutes, rules, regulations, or departmental
policies that may conflict with any provisions of this Agreement;
b. to better meet the needs of children and families in the provision of child
abuse related services;
Alliance For Children Protocols 11
c. to improve the procedures set forth in this Agreement;
d. to add or delete agencies as parties to the Agreement;
e. for such other purposes as the parties may agree.
18. This agreement can be terminated by any party without cause by giving written
notice to the other parties.
19. All State and Federal confidentiality laws will be followed in connection with this
agreement.
20. Signatories of this Agreement will include the following agencies:
Alliance For Children
Arlington Police Department
Bedford Police Department
Colleyville Police Department
Cook Children's Medical Center
Euless Police Department
Fort Worth Police Department
Grand Prairie Police Department
Grapevine Police Department
Haltom City Police Department
Hurst Police Department
Keller Police Department
Mansfield Police Department
North Richland Hills Police Department
Richland Hills Police Department
Southlake Police Department
Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney
Tarrant County Sheriff
Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
Watauga Police Department
White Settlement Police Department
Any other agency/organization that will house personnel at an Alliance For Children
center or plans to follow the procedures set by this Agreement.
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 work to ensure
the protection and preservation of the children of Tarrant County.
This agreement shall become effective upon signature of the parties listed below:
Will Johnson, Chief /� /(date) acy Aarp6 hief (date)
Arlington Police Department Mansfie olice Department
Alliance For Children Protocols 12
I
Jeff Gibson, Chief (date) y due, Chief (date)
Bedford Police Department ort ichland Hills Police Department
q
711
Michael Holder, Chief date) Barbara Childress, Chief (date
Colleyville Police Department Richland Hills Police Department
Nancy Cy(h 1,—p r-qdent �' a te) Jdm'4 Brandon, Chief (date)
Cook Chil g 's Medical Center So lake Police Department
Mi ael o ,hief (date) Sharen WilsCriminal District Attorney (date)
E ess Poli Department Tarrant County
Joel Fitzgerald, Chief (date) Dee Anderson, Sheriff (date)
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
Eddie alame, Chief (date) B th Engelking, (date)
Grapevine Police Department APS Associate Commissioner
Department of Family and Protective Services
Alliance For Children Protocols 13
Cody Phillips, Chief (date) 4eSaw, (date)
Haltom City Police Department ociate Commissioner
Department of Family and Protective Services
i"
Steve Moore, Chief (date) Glen Fowler, Ch f (date)
Hurst Police Department Watauga Police Department
Michael Wilson, Chief (date) JJBevering, Chief (date)
Keller Police Department e Settlement Police Department
(j6d u" �rr'IA � i7
Mie Evans, Executiv rector (date)
Alliance For Children
Alliance For Children Protocols 14
Executed on the jl`' ay of February, 2017.
CITY OF FORT WORTH:
By: —V69��
Valerie R. Washington
Assistant City Manager
Date: i4rot
APPROVED AS TO FORM
AND LEGALITY:
By: � 11-6j,
An �c f 2 . De s cElroy
Assistant City Attorney
ATTES �� F oR SGL
By:
Marys * _
City ecretary
AS
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 all erformance and reporting requirements.
J es Rodriguez
Senior Contract Comp liance SpaLalist OFFICIAL RECORD
]D�
CITY SECRETARY
FT.WORTHY TX