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The CAC Team
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| The multi-disciplinary team of professionals that responds to the CAC, after a report of suspected child abuse, is made up of members of: |
- Law Enforcement; usually a Detective or Juvenile Officer, and sometimes they are accompanied by a first responding patrol officer. The investigating law enforcement agency is determined by the city or town where the abuse is reported to have occurred.
- DCYF; usually a child protective assessment worker, and sometimes they are accompanied by a unit supervisor. The DCYF District office that is assigned is determined by the city or town the child there the child currently lives.
- The County Attorney’s Office; the Belknap County Attorney, or an Assistant County Attorney, as well as the Victim/Witness Coordinator.
- New Beginnings; usually one crisis advocate responds to the CAC, but depending on the needs of the family, there may be two advocates. If the child lives outside Belknap County, a crisis advocate from the crisis center that covers that area may respond.
- Forensic Interviewer; this is a person who has had specialized training in forensic interviewing of children. They may be a law enforcement officer, a DCYF worker, or a CAC staff person. There are both male and female interviewers. The family will be introduced to the interviewer on the case ahead of time.
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| Other team members that may not be present at the interview but may assist children and families after the interview include: |
- Mental Health Professionals; the Trauma Intervention Program at Genesis, Child and Family Services or local private practitioners.
- Medical Professionals; Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center’s Child Advocacy and Protection Program (CAPP), local pediatricians, SANE nurses and Advanced Practice Nurses.
- School Guidance Counselors.
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