Teams
Manager:  Donna Meyer
203 748-4542
Teams@danburychildadvocacy.org

The Child Protection Team (CPT) convenes on behalf of families at risk to coordinate services provided by professionals in the community and to ensure a unified effort and treatment approach without duplicating services. Teams include the family and community professionals working with them. These may be teachers, social workers, doctors, lawyers, mental health professionals, child protection workers, day care providers.

The Multi-disciplinary Investigation Team (MIT) coordinates the activities of the agencies involved in the investigation and prosecution of child sexual abuse, while minimizing the secondary trauma to the child. MIT members are trained specialists who meet regularly to discuss individual cases, identify system needs, work cooperatively to improve the investigation and prosecution of cases, and to protect the children. This team response to abuse is designed minimize the trauma of multiple interviews, and to ensure the safety and well-being of the child.

The MIT After Care Clinic (ACC) provides clinical after-care through focused, short-term therapy to stabilize MIT families traumatized by the disclosure of child sexual abuse.  Children ages 3-16 engage in 12-week focused treatment; non-offending family members participate in three sessions during this period. This program encourages the family’s involvement in the healing process. Additionally, the ACC provides educational information and referrals to other community resources.

 Child Protection Team
Mary:

Mary was referred for a CPT by the Parent Aide working with the family. Her family was experiencing many stressful issues at the same time. Mary has 4 children, Joe age 14, Jane age 13, John age 8, and Jimmy age 6. She had recently remarried; Joe was hostile to Mary’s new husband, Jane was failing 7th grade and Jimmy was acting out at home. Numerous service providers were involved with the family, all with the best intentions. With so many providers and various treatment approaches, Mary was overwhelmed and confused. This became evident immediately in the team, with some providers not even aware that other providers were involved. At the team meeting, providers had an opportunity to explain their roles with the family. Mary was encouraged to speak about which services and approaches were helpful. After information was shared, tasks were identified and responsibilities of service providers clarified. Follow up calls one month later indicated that everyone benefited from agency collaboration and cooperation.

 Multi-disciplinary Investigation Team
Samantha:

Eight year old Samantha told her teacher that her stepfather was touching her “privates”. The teacher, being a mandated reporter, called the Department of Children and Families (DCF). The DCF worker requested a forensic interview for Samantha. Members of the MIT were contacted and an interview was set up for the next day. Through a one way mirror, representatives from the police and DCF observed the forensic interview. In a separate room Samantha’s mother, Jane who was visibly upset, met with an advocate from the Women’s Center. She was struggling with the requirement that her husband must leave the home in order to protect her daughter. Initially Samantha was a bit nervous; however, as information about the interview room, process, and rules were explained she began to relax. Casual conversation to build rapport was followed by the information gathering part of the interview. Samantha gave a detailed disclosure of sexual abuse by her stepfather occurring over a 3 month period. Her disclosure was videotaped in its entirety and left little doubt that abuse had occurred. The interview closed on a positive note as she talked about a school field trip.

After the interview, the investigative team met briefly to discuss the information before speaking with Jane. She was given a chance to ask questions and was told what the next steps might be. Although she was overwhelmed, there were issues which needed to be addressed immediately. Referrals were made for Samantha’s medical exam and mental health counseling and for ongoing support for Jane. After the forensic interview, DCF and the police proceeded with their individual investigations and the case was reviewed at the next MIT coordinators meeting. At this meeting the police reported they had interviewed the stepfather who admitted to some but not all of the incidents. The police had submitted an arrest warrant to the court. DCF reported that Jane had been unaware of the abuse and has been appropriately protecting Samantha since the disclosure. The forensically trained pediatrician assigned to the MIT performed the medical exam. Jane and Samantha began mental health counseling at a local agency and were referred to the Office of Victim Services to help them through the court procedures. Although this case may take up to a year to resolve, regular CPTs will assist in tracking progress and coordinating services.

Anna:

Maria and Jose are recent immigrants to the Danbury area. They have 2 children, Anna 6 years old and Juan 1 year old.  They have been sharing an apartment with Jose’s sister, Elizabeth and her 14 year old son John, splitting the rent to make it more affordable.  Recently Maria noticed stains in Anna’s underwear.  When she asked what happened, Anna reported that her cousin John had hurt her “down there.”  This information was reported to DCF and an MIT interview and medical exam was set up for the next day.  While Anna was interviewed, police and DCF watched from behind a one-way mirror.  Anna was clear and consistent with her disclosure of sexual abuse by her cousin John.  Anna’s symptoms indicated trauma from the abuse and the family exhibited a great deal of conflict.    
                                                           

 MIT After Care Clinic
Anna:

Anna was referred to the After Care Clinic after the MIT interview determined that she was in need of trauma therapy.  She was seen twelve weeks for counseling.  When Anna began in therapy, she was bed wetting, having severe nightmares and during the day, would become withdrawn.  These were symptoms of the abuse that Anna had endured.  Over time and with the support of her family, Anna’s symptoms were reduced.  She felt successful when she could stop wetting the bed and could sleep through the night without waking up crying.  She wanted to “feel happy” again after the pain of the abuse.  At the end of the twelve sessions she was drawing pictures that were age appropriate, she was focused during the school day which helped her make new friends, and she was able to laugh and be 6 years old again!