Facilitators and barriers to Children's Advocacy Center-based multidisciplinary teamwork. (September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Westphaln, Kristi K.; Manges, Kirstin A.; Regoeczi, Wendy C.; Johnson, Jennifer; Ronis, Sarah D.; Spilsbury, James C.
• Is Part Of: Child abuse & neglect. Volume 131(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-09
• Subjects: Multidisciplinary team -- Teamwork -- Children's Advocacy Center -- CAC -- Child abuse -- Child welfare; Child abuse -- Periodicals; 362.76
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2022.105710
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0145-2134

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Children's Advocacy Centers (CACs) use a multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach to initiate, coordinate, and provide essential multisector services for children and families who experience child abuse. Despite rapid dissemination of the CAC model across the world, little is known about characteristics associated with CAC-based teamwork. Objective: Given that teamwork characteristics may impact the outcomes of child and families who interact with CACs, the purpose of this qualitative study was to explore experiences, facilitators, and barriers to CAC-based multidisciplinary teamwork. Participants, setting, & methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with members of a MDT at a Midwestern CAC. Results: Findings suggest that MDT teamwork was fostered by clear communication, responsiveness, commitment, openness, and appropriate resources whereas MDT teamwork was hindered by role confusion, conflicting perspectives, poor communication, low staffing, complex politics, and structural barriers. Conclusions: Characteristics of CAC-based teamwork may vary from the teamwork of other types of child protection teams. Interventions that enhance CAC-based teamwork may optimize the function of CAC MDTs and improve outcomes for children and families who engage with CACs. Highlights: Children's Advocacy Center (CAC)-based teamwork may vary from the teamwork of other child welfare teams Communication, responsiveness, commitment, flexibility, and resources facilitated CAC-based teamwork Role ambiguity, conflicting ideology, staffing shortages, politics, and agency structures hindered CAC-based teamwork Complex politics and structural barriers were the most prolific barriers to MDT teamwork