MDT Partners

Multidisciplinary Teams (MDT) are the foundation of the McHenry County Children’s Advocacy Center’s response to allegations of child abuse. An MDT is a group of professionals from distinct disciplines that collaborates from the point of a report of abuse, throughout a child and family’s involvement with the CAC. MDT members include: prosecutors, law enforcement detectives, DCFS investigators, forensic interviewers, victim advocates, medical professionals, and mental health therapists.

McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office

Prosecutors from the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office provide legal expertise to determine whether the case is able to be prosecuted. They use information collected by the McHenry County Children’s Advocacy Center’s forensic interviews to support prosecution of alleged perpetrators.

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Local Law Enforcement Agencies

Every local police department in McHenry County responds to reports and investigates allegations of sexual abuse. They are responsible for collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses and alleged perpetrators, making arrests when appropriate, and helping to ensure the child and family’s safety.

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS)

Investigators from the Illinois Department of Children & Family Services (DCFS) work closely with the McHenryCounty Children’s Advocacy Center’s staff to ensure the well-being of child victims, including developing protective plans to ensure children’s safety while the investigation is ongoing.

Forensic Interviewer

Forensic Interviewers, employed at the McHenry County CAC, have specialized training in conducting interviews of children who may have been abused or witnessed serious crimes. They speak with children about their experience while the rest of the team observes from behind a one-way mirror. The Interviewer’s training and skill ensures that reliable information is elicited from the child in a legally, clinically, and culturally sound manner.

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Family Advocates

Family Advocates, employed at the McHenry County CAC, are the link between the child, non-offending family members, and the MDT members. They ensure that children and families get the culturally-sensitive support, education and resources they need to help them overcome the trauma of abuse. Advocates provide a critical role in connecting them with resources in the community to address needs including domestic violence, housing, clothing, food, financial assistance, legal assistance, and can provide linkages to mental health services as needed. Advocates maintain contact with clients on their path to healing and continue to empower them to obtain the resources and services they need to lead healthy lives.

Mental Health Therapists

The Mental Health Therapists referred by the McHenry County CAC, have specialized training experience and providing evidence-based, trauma-informed counseling services to children and families.

Merit- Medical Evaluation Response Initiative Team

When appropriate, children are referred to Dr. Ray Davis through University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford for a thorough child sexual assault examination and evaluation.