Forensic Interviews are conducted with specially trained and certified CAC Forensic Interviewers in accordance with the 5th Edition Governor’s Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect Forensic Interviewing Protocol.

Forensic interviews are provided at all locations and are:

o Conducted with children ages 3-17 and vulnerable adults on a case-by-case basis.

o For children who have experienced and/or witnessed sexual abuse, severe physical abuse, severe neglect, gun violence, or a violent crime. Other allegations are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

o Can be provided urgently/emergently.

o A non-offending transporter is required for forensic interviews. Alleged perpetrators (including those who are alleged to have failed to protect or suspected to have coached the child) are not permitted to transport or be onsite at Kids-TALK CAC.

o Law enforcement and/or the Department of Health and Human Services(DHHS: Children’s Protective Services or Foster Care) MUST be present for a forensic interview to be conducted.

Advocacy is provided to each family who receive services at any CAC location.

This includes:
o Support, resources, education, referrals, and assistance with questions and system navigation

o Follow-up assistance and support

Non-acute sexual abuse evaluations (the last incident of sexual abuse was more than 120 hours prior) are conducted by a medical team of a Board-Certified Child Abuse Pediatrician and a registered nurse (RN) for victims/survivors of sexual assault & human trafficking at the Detroit location of Kids-TALK CAC. Follow-up appointments are also provided.

A medical evaluation should be completed if:

o There are suspicions or disclosures of penetration

o If a child or their sibling tests positive for a sexually transmitted infection (STI

o Consent from the child’s parent/guardian must be secured in order to conduct the medical evaluation.

o It is not necessary for MDT partners to attend the medical evaluation.

*Please ensure that families are notified of the date, time, and location of their forensic interview and/or medical evaluation.o Include info: Very important you only send children to ED if they need emergent medical attention

o Very important you only send children to ED if they need emergent medical attention.

Therapy with evidence-based modalities is provided by licensed clinicians at all CAC locations.

o Our licensed clinicians offer evidence-based, trauma-focused therapy for Wayne County children impacted by abuse, violence, and other traumatic experiences. Therapy is available whether or not a child has received other CAC services.

Therapy is provided to children who:

o Have been impacted by trauma

o Are ages 3-21 years

o Reside in Wayne County

o Referrals are accepted from families, caregivers, and MDT; however, consent by the child’s parent/guardian is required to begin therapy.

For therapy services contact:
734-785-7705 x7672 or kidstalkcactherapy@guidance-center.org

Is the formal process that enables the MDT to monitor and assess its independent and collective effectiveness to ensure the safety and well-being of children and families. The process encourages mutual accountability and helps to assure that children’s and families’ needs are met sensitively, effectively and in a timely manner.

Case Review is also utilized to identify and resolve system barriers. Case Review meets monthly on the fourth Thursday of each month.

Case Review criteria include:
Cases that could benefit from the experience and expertise of the MDT including, child abuse pediatricians, mental health professionals, law enforcement, Prosecutor’s Office, Attorney General’s Office, SANE Examiners, Forensic Interviewers, and Child and Family Advocates.

o Cases that are suspicious for Human Trafficking

o Cases where children, especially adolescents, have had multiple referrals and/or no-shows for medical evaluations and/or forensic interviews.

o Cases where there is recantation, concerns for coaching, and/or a non-supportive caregiver

o Cases where there are conflicting disclosures or conflicting information about the abuse

o Cases that involve multiple jurisdictions

o Cases where children are injured (non-fatally) with unsecured weapons.

o Cases where there is evidence of abuse (ex/burns, sexually transmitted infections, witnessed incident, confirmed non-accidental injury) and there is no disclosure by the child.

o Cases that could benefit from an MDT discussion. This may include:

§ Discussion about services that may benefit the child and family

§ Discussion about issues of cultural relevance and needs unique to individual children and their families

§ Discussion about how the MDT/CAC intervention is impacting the child and their family.

o Cases where a child is hospitalized, and the caregiver is the alleged perpetrator and/or the caregiver is not present

o Acceptance of referred cases that are outside of the aforementioned criteria are determined on a case-by-case basis.