§ 9-5-103 — Definitions

As used in this chapter: (1) "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Children's Advocacy Centers of Arkansas; (2) "Children's Advocacy Centers of Arkansas" means a nonprofit organization that is a chapter of the National Children's Alliance operating in this state for the purpose of promoting, assisting, and supporting the development, growth, and continuation of child safety centers in this state; (3) (A) "Child safety center" means a nonprofit child-friendly facility that provides a location for forensic interviews and forensic medical examinations and ensures access for specialized mental health services during the course of a child maltreatment investigation. (B) A child safety center is commonly known as a "child advocacy center"; (4) "Multidisciplinary team" means a collaborative group of individual professionals from diverse organizations and agencies who work together in a coordinated manner to ensure an effective response to child abuse and neglect cases so a child victim is not overlooked and essential services are provided in a timely manner; and (5) "Multidisciplinary team facilitator" means a person who: (A) Is responsible for establishing and sustaining: (i) Relationships among members of the multidisciplinary team that promote collaboration; and (ii) An atmosphere of trust and safety to partner for success in child abuse and neglect cases; (B) Serves as an advocate for the multidisciplinary team model; (C) Works with the members of the multidisciplinary team to ensure effective implementation of the multidisciplinary team model; and (D) Assumes the role of a multidisciplinary team coordinator and does not perform the role of a director or leader.

Legislative History

Amended by Act 2021, No. 975,§ 2, eff. 7/28/2021. Amended by Act 2013, No. 568,§ 1, eff. 8/16/2013 Acts 2007, No. 703, § 5 This section was amended by Act 2021, No. 975 to have subsection (a) but no subsection (b).