HomeMy WebLinkAboutChild Abuse Services Team (CAST) - 2018-03-28OPERATIONAL AGREEMENT
Operation Agreement stands as evidence that the Child Abuse Services Team (CAST), the Social
Services Agency (SSA). the Office of the District Attorney (DA), and. the Huntington Beach Police
Department, Law Enforcement Agency intend to work together toward the mutual goal of providing
maximum available assistance for crime victims residing in the City of Huntington Beach.
The Child Abuse Ser7ces Team will closely coordinate the following services with the Huntington Beach
Police De . ent. Law Enforcement Agency in relation to the following; areas:
1. Attorney General Grant Requirements;
2. California Governor's Office of'Emergency Services (CaIOES) Grant Requirements;
3. Department of Justice (DOJ) Grant Requirements;
4_ Utilizing CAST to reduce- the trauma to the child;
All agencies indicated below, believe that implementation of the Child Abuse Services Team proposal, as
described herein, will further this goal. To this end, each agency agrees to participate in the
program by coordinating and/or providing the following services:
• Project staff being readily available to CAST for service provision through Protocol
Agreement attached.
• Regularly scheduled meeting: between indicated agencies to discuss strategies. time tables, and
implementation of mandated services.
Specifically, services as described in the Protocol Agreement attached hereto and incorporated
herein by reference.
We the undersigned, as authorized representatives of CAST, SSA and the DA, and the F Iuntington Beach
Police Department. Lave Enforeement Agency, do hereby approve this document.
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The Child Abuse
Services Team, a member
of the National Children's
Alliance, is a nationally
recognized leader and role
model in its child -friendly
approach to conducting
child abuse investigations.
What is CAST?
A multidisciplinary public -private partnership
comprised of the following:
Child Advocates
Deputy District Attorneys
Law Enforcement Officers
Medical Providers
Social Workers
Therapists
• Victim Witness Specialists
Who can bring
a child to CAST?
Only a child protective agency can make arrangements
for children to come to CAST. If you suspect a child
is being abused, contact one of the following:
The Child Abuse Registry (CAR) 714-940-1000
The law enforcement agency in the city or area
in which the crime may have occurred
What is the
purpose of CAST?
To reduce the trauma for victims of
child abuse in the following ways:
Reducing the number of interviews with the child
Limiting the number of investigations
Providing a child advocate to work with
the victim and family on site
Providing crisis intervention and
referrals for a long-term therapy
Conducting the interview and examination at
a single, non -threatening child friendly site
Protecting the victim
Providing access to the Victim/
Witness Assistance Program
Where is CAST?
Child Abuse Services Team (CAST)
401 The City Drive
Orange, California 92868
CAST was created in 1989 with
the purpose of reducing the
trauma for child victims of abuse
during the investigation process.
It began as a single -site multi -disciplinary team program
for conducting child sexual abuse investigations. At
that time children who were alleged to have been
sexually abused were subjected to multiple interviews
by numerous professionals at various different sites.
The success of this one -stop approach was expanded
to include all forms of child abuse in 1999. Now CAST
serves child victims of severe physical and emotional
abuse, as well as children who are witnesses to crimes,
such as domestic violence, kidnapping, and homicide.
CAST's coordinated on -site services have enabled social
services, law enforcement, deputy district attorneys,
medical providers, and therapists to collaborate on
investigations. Thus, investigations are completed
in a more timely, thorough, and consistent manner.
This benefits both the child and family during the
investigation of child abuse.
The child -focused, child -friendly environment at CAST
serves to further reduce the trauma for these children.
CAST is a place where they can play comfortably and the
non -offending parents receive immediate support from
experienced staff and volunteers. Community donations
of toys, games, stuffed animals, snacks, lunches, and
crafts provide comfort for the children.
Our Mission
Reducing the Trauma for Victims of Child Abuse
CAST serves all 22 law enforcement
agencies in Orange County.
Each year approximately 1,000 children
come to the child -friendly CAST Center in
Orange for a forensic interview, medical
exam, and/or crisis intervention therapy.
NATIONAI
CHILDREN'S
ALLIANCE*
ACCREDITED
MEMBER
Child abuse
Prevention
Center ce
0�
2390 E. Orangewood Ave., Suite 300, Anaheim, CA 92806
714-543-4333 * BrightFutures4Kids.org
Child Abuse
Services Team
Orange County,
California
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