Multi-Disciplinary Service Team (MDST)

(1) Where a 51A report is referred to the District Attorney pursuant to 110 CMR 4.51 and 4.52, the Area Director and the District Attorney shall determine whether a review by a MDST would be beneficial. (a) A MDST shall include the currently assigned Department employee, the Department supervisor (if requested), a representative of the District Attorney, and at least one other member who is not employed by either the Department or the District Attorney. The independent team member shall be appointed by the Area Director, shall have experience and training in the field of child welfare or criminal justice, and shall otherwise meet the guidelines established by the Department. (b) If the referral involves a victim of sexual exploitation or human trafficking, the MDST may also include a professional trained or otherwise experienced or qualified to assess the needs of sexually exploited children or human trafficking victims including, but not limited to, a police officer or designee of the police chief, a social services provider, a medical professional, or a mental health professional. Members of MDST shall have full access to the Department's action plan and any information from the family's Department case file that is directly related to the implementation of the Action Plan. The data shared with MDST shall be confidential and shall be utilized by the members solely to carry out the responsibilities of the MDST. The MDST shall meet on a schedule determined by the Department and the District Attorney's Office, and during such meetings shall: (a) Discuss the current status of the child and family and any intervention initiated; (b) Discuss any existing action plan for the family; (c) Make recommendations as to the advisability of prosecuting any members of the family; (d) Discuss the possible effects of prosecution on the child and attempt to minimize the possibility of multiple interviews of the child.; (e) Explore the possibility of utilizing any existing diversion programs; and (f) For cases involving sexually exploited or human trafficking child victims, determine if the child was a victim of sexual exploitation or human trafficking and, if so, recommend a plan for services, which may include shelter or placement, mental health services, and medical care or other services as needed. The MDST may notify the District Attorney when a family has failed to participate or cooperate in the action plan.