Policy Text
Multi -Disciplinary
Interview Center
Policy and Procedure Protocol
Revised 2023
VENTURA COUNTY MULTI -DISCIPLINARY
INTERVIEW CENTER
MISSION STATEMENT
The Ventura County Multi -Disciplinary Interview Center (MDIC) is a coalition of public and
private agencies dedicated to serving child victims of sexual and physical abuse and adult victims
of sexual assault. Our mission is to establish and maintain a cen ter that promotes dignity and
respect while minimizing trauma and maximizing criminal prosecution.
Through enhanced teamwork and collaboration, the MDIC will:
• Provide a sensitive, safe and child -friendly environment that will decrease victim trauma
and i ntimidation.
• Promote and improve interagency cooperation and coordination among county agencies
and between criminal and dependency investigations.
• Conduct forensic interviews by specially trained staff.
• Reduce the number of interviews for children and adults who have been sexually assaulted
or abused.
• Provide forensic medical examinations by specially trained staff.
• Provide crisis intervention and referrals for child and adult victims and their families.
• Prevent repetitive incidents of c hild abuse and sexual assault through effective intervention
and prosecution.
• Promote on -going training to ensure continuous quality improvement.
OPERATIONAL AGREEMENT
This operational agreement stands as evidence that the Ventura County Human Services Agency,
the Ventura County Health Care Agency, the Ventura County District Attorney, California State
University Channel Islands Police Department, Oxnard Police Department, Port Hueneme Police
Department, Santa Paula Police Department, Simi Valley Police Department, Ventura Police
Department, Ventura County Sheriff’s Office , the Coalition for Family Harmony, Interface
Children & Family Services, Casa Pacifica, The Partnership for Safe Families & Communities of
Ventura County (the designated Child Abuse Prevention Council ), the Naval Criminal
Investigative Service and the Ventura County Medical Association intend to work together toward
the mutual goal of providing maximum available assistance to child victims of sexual and physical
abuse and adult victims of sexual assault through participation in a Multi -Disciplinary Interview
Center.
All agencies agree to closely coordinate services utilizing the agreed upon Policy and Procedure
Protocol to reduce trauma to victims, ensure their safety, and increase the likelihood of successful
prosecution.
To further this goal, all member agencies will make every effort to:
• Respond as members of the Multi -Disciplinary Team for collaborative service provision
as set forth in the Policy and Proce dure Protocol.
• Bring all cases that meet the criteria for referral to the Safe Harbor Centers.
• Participate in regularly scheduled meetings to (1) assess effectiveness of the program, (2)
conduct case reviews, and (3) discuss strategies, timetables and im plementation of
mandated services.
• Provide specific services and adhere to the Code of Conduct as described in the Policy and
Procedure Protocol.
Review, Expiration, and Termination: this agreement takes effect when signed by each party and
shall expire on October 01, 2030 . The MOU shall be reviewed triennially in its entirety. Any party
may discontinue membership in the Multi -Disciplinary Team before termination date provided
that party provide s 30 days written notice to all other participating member ag encies of intent to
discontinue membership in the Multi -Disciplinary Interview Center.
2023
In recognition of the serious problem of child abuse and sexual assault and the efficacy of multi
disciplinary teams to investigate and prosecute these crimes, the following agencies agree to
participate in the Multi-disciplinary Interview Center Process and to readopt this Policy and
Procedure Protocol:
DRAKE MASSEY SHAWNA MORRIS
Interim Chief, California State University Channel Islands Chief Executive Officer,
Police Department Casa Pacifica
CAROLINE PRIJA TEL-SUTTON
Executive Director,
Coalition for Family Harmony
DR. KATHLEEN VAN ANTWERP
Executive Director, The Partnership for
Safe Families & Communities of Ventura County
Interim Chief,
Santa Paula Police Department
ERIK NASARENKO
Ventura County District Attorney STEVE SHORTS
Chief,
Simi Valley Police Department
BARRY ZIMMERMAN
Director, Ventura County Health
Care Agency
MELISSA LIVINGSTON
Director, Ventura County Human
Services Agency
POLICY AND PROCEDURE PROTOCOL
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM ................................ ................................ .............................. 1
II. INFORMATION SHARING AND CONFIDENTIALITY POLICY ................................ 14
III. FORENSIC INTERVIEWS ................................ ................................ ................................ 18
IV. VICTIM ADVOCACY AND SUPPORT ................................ ................................ ........... 20
V. MEDICAL E XAMINATIONS ................................ ................................ ............................. 23
VI. SAFE HARBOR CASE REVIEWS ................................ ................................ ..................... 25
VII. CASE TRACKING PROCEDURES ................................ ................................ ................. 26
VIII. PEER REVIEW GUIDELINES ................................ ................................ ........................ 27
IX. MENTAL HEALTH ................................ ................................ ................................ ............. 27
X. ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY ................................ ................................ ...................... 29
XI. PARTNER AGENCY CONTACT LIST ................................ ................................ ............ 33
APPENDICES
APPENDIX I ................................ ................................ .............................. CODE OF CONDUCT
APPENDIX II ............................... CULTURAL RESPONSIVENESS AND DIVERSITY PLAN
Ventura County MDIC Protocol Page 1
MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF PARTICIPATING AGENCIES
The following agencies are recognized as Core Team Members of the Multi -Disciplinary
Interview Centers (MDIC) with active roles, as described: the District Attorney, all Ventura
County law enforcement agencies, Human Services Agency, Children and Family Services and