HomeMy WebLinkAboutContract 52641 tea CSC No.52641
DECEIVED
AUG 14 2019 ALLIANCE FOR CHILDREN
CITY OF FORT WORTH MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
CITY SECRETARY Reviewed 2018
We,the undersigned,by and through our supervisory heads, (and through our designated
representatives, listed below) do hereby agree to the following policy supporting fhe 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 continuing 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 fhot 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 isolated practice.
We recognize that the current systems better address needs of these young victims while working in
partnership with other agencies committed to the protection and best interest of every child in
Tarrant County.
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 issues,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 fatality and medical child abuse
cases and 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
medical child abuse, and child fatality investigations (those specific cases to be enumerated
and outlined in agreed interagency protocol);
2. To provide a multidisciplinary team and case management approach,focused first on the
suspected child victim's needs,second on the law enforcement, prosecution, and civil
proceedings involved,and third on the non-offending caregivers/family members who are
supportive of the child and whose interests are consistent with the best interest of the child;
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�, 'rf SECRETARY
., WORTH,TX
3. To obtain evidence useful for both criminal prosecution as well as protective action in civil
proceedings;
4. To provide case screening and investigative 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;
5. To provide and coordinate the therapeutic treatment program for child victims and their
families/non-offending caregivers;
b. To reduce to an absolute minimum number of interviews of child sexual and physical abuse
victims so as to minimize the"revictimization"of the child;
7. To provide 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 community focal point of information,education,and
service referral,and for future as well as ekisting multidisciplinary teams within the State of
Texas and nationwide.
9. The development, maintenance,and support through the center of a neutral"child friendly"
environment that emphasizes the best interest of children and that provides investigative and
rehabilitative services to the child and non-offending caregiver/family members.
While each of the undersigned agencies has specific responsibilities with regard to the investigation,
prosecution,medical,and therapeutic treatment of cases of child abuse,we do hereby
acknowledge that the multidisciplinary team approach made possible through the institution of
Alliance For Children,in the County of Tarrant,Texas,will serve to enhance the individual efforts of
each agency.The collaboration between these respective agencies,and public support and
awareness,will unity out community 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:
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(date)�n*nri-B)ucI< Will Johnso .Chief (dot )
APS Ass N5jj,ctbired-W Arrington Police Department
Department of Family and Protective Services
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Mike Hamlin,Chie (datql Cody Phillips,Chief (date)
Grapevine Police portrnent Haltom City Police Department
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Steve Niekamp,Chief date) Robert EW President&C (fate)
Hurst Police Department JPS Health Network
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ho* haA Wilson,Chief (date) Tommy WEarrn,Chief (date)
Keller Poke Deportment Kennedale Police Department
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C nt.Chief (date) Tracy Aaron, to (date)
Lake rth Poice Department Mansfield P611ce Department
J' er .Chief (date) .Ct f (date) ' Robe_i4 (br4tr►C
R" nd Hills Poke Department Police Department 1 i elo ca n Q�
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betty Sylves ,C (date) Christopher Spiieldenner;Chief (date)
Richland Hills Police Department River Oaks Police Department
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FT. WORTH,TX
Rick Pippins, Chief (date) Jeff Githon, Chief (date)
Azle Police Department Bedford Police Department
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es Mills, Chief (date) Randy Baker,Chie (date)
Benbrook Police Department Blue Mound Police Department
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Michael Miller, Chief (date) eorge ' hQto (date)
Colleyville Police Department CPS Regi n I Director
Departme t of Family and Protective Services
ner (date) Nancy Cycho (dat )
CP egional Director Chief of Hospital Services and Affiliate Ventures
Department of Family and Protective Services Cook Children's Medical Center
Mic el Bro ief (date) C.W. ief (date
Euless Police Department Evermon. olice Department
Joel Fitzge ald, Chief (date) Steve Dye, Chief ate)
Fort Worth Police Department Grand Prairie Police DelYartment
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CITY SECRETARY
FT WORTH,TX
Jame r ndon, Chief (d te) Shares Wilsonsn, orney (date)
South e Police Department Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney's Office
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Bill Waybourn, Shev f (date) Bennie Medlin, Dlrector (date)
Tarrant County Sh riff's Office Tarrant County Juvenile Services
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David Griffin, Mayor Pro Te&,'' { �`.T K in Reaves, Chief (date)
City of Watauga y U: z ;=Westworth Village Police Department
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J.P/B vering, Chief ( fie) Jul' Evans, Executive Direc r (date)
VMite Settlement Police Department Alliance For Children
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FT. WORTH,TX 5
Kit Long, Chi (date) Lee Howell, Chief (date)
Crowley Poli e Department Saginaw Police Department
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CITY SECRETARY
FT. WORTH,V�
ACCEPTED AND AGREED:
CITY OF FORT WORTH CONTRACT COMPLIANCE MANAGER:
By signing I acknowledge that I am the
person responsible for the monitoring and
JPiSUSJ. Chqva administration of this contract, including
By: Jesus J.Chapa(Aug 7, 019) ensuring all performance and reporting
Name: Jesus J. Chapa requirements.
Title: Assistant City Manager
���°` By: Rachel DeHoyos(Aug 7,2 9)
O;...• Gf�O Name: Rachel Dehoyos
Title: Sergeant
ATTEST:
` U APPROVED AS TO FORM AND
' * * LEGALITY:
By:
Name: Mary J.Kayser
Title: City Secretary By: Matt Murray(Aug 7,201
Name: Matt Murray
Title: Assistant City Attorney
CONTRACT AUTHORIZATION:
M&C: N/A
Date Approved:
Form 1295 Certification No.:
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RECORD
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TH,TX