| 1. CURRENT,
CORRECT SKILLS BASED MBP EDUCATION - the foundation for
current and future case involved professionals working with a
suspected or confirmed MBP case. I have found it to be
counter-productive and dangerous to attempt to discuss,
formulate strategy, or make decisions regarding a suspected or
confirmed MBP case without involved professionals having correct
MBP "basic training". MBP is very different from other
kinds of maltreatment to identify and to work with - and most
professionals know little about MBP and often have
misconceptions and misinformation that can damage the
investigation and MBP case assessment process - and cause MBP
victims to be unidentified and unprotected both short and long
term.
2. Investigation, MBP
confirmation/non-confirmation, decision making, and case
management via a CASE SPECIFIC MULTIAGENCY-MULTIDISCIPLINARY
TEAM (MMT).
3. An MBP EXPERT CONSULTANT
to provide such assistance as initial and ongoing MBP education
(on site or by telephone conference call with Consultant at one
end and participants gathered in conference room with speaker
phone) - review presently available case records and other
information to determine/validate MBP suspicion and make
recommendations - guide the MBP investigation and MBP
confirmation/ non-confirmation process - prepare a written MBP
Analysis including opinion as to the existence of MBP in the
case - provide recommendations and technical assistance
regarding short and long term victim protection and case
management issues - work with attorneys regarding strategy and
court preparation - and other related activities.
4. An MBP EXPERT WITNESS
to educate the court regarding MBP, relate MBP education to the
case or to hypothetical questions, and provide opinion and
recommendations. Expert witness activities will, of course,
differ depending on case needs. (Other medical and/or mental
health professionals who are expert in their specialties, but
who are not MBP experts, will also likely be needed to testify).
It is my experience that MBP cases will most likely not be won
without MBP Expert Witness testimony. Although labeling a case
MBP may not be so important in criminal cases, a finding of MBP
in the child protective courts is usually very important if MBP
related case plan elements (elements that should be completed
prior to consideration of reunification or unsupervised
visitation with anyone) are to be justified and upheld.
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