2023 Code of Alabama › Title 26 - Infants and Incompetents. › Chapter 16 - Child Abuse and Neglect. › Article 4 - Alabama Network of Children's Advocacy Centers. › Section 26-16-70 - Membership; Eligibility.

Section 26-16-70
Membership; eligibility.
(a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:
(1) FORENSIC INTERVIEW. The same meaning as in Section 12-15-301.
(2) LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES. The police department for the municipality and the sheriff's department for the county in which a child advocacy center is located.
(3) MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL. An individual holding a master's or higher degree in social work, mental health counseling, or other social work related or mental health counseling related field of study, and who has received special training regarding child maltreatment and child trauma.
(b) In order to become eligible for a full membership in the Alabama Network of Children's Advocacy Centers, Incorporated, child advocacy centers in this state shall:
(1) Incorporate as a nonprofit agency under the requirements of Section 10A-3-1.01 et seq.
(2) Utilize a neutral, child-focused facility where forensic interviews, conducted jointly by the Department of Human Resources and law enforcement personnel, take place with children in appropriate cases of suspected child sexual and physical abuse. All multidisciplinary agencies shall utilize a facility to interact with the child as investigative or treatment needs require.
(3) Employ or utilize designated staff who operate under the supervision and approval of the board of directors of the child advocacy center.
(4) Maintain a multidisciplinary team that meets on a regularly scheduled basis or as the case load of the community requires to coordinate the multidisciplinary response to child abuse. At a minimum, the team shall consist of the following:
a. The local district attorney, or his or her designee or designees.
b. One or more representatives from the Department of Human Resources.
c. One or more local mental health professionals.
d. One or more representatives from a local law enforcement agency.
e. The staff of the child advocacy center.
(5) Provide case tracking of child abuse cases worked through the center and, at a minimum, collect demographic data regarding all children referred to the center for services as well as any other data required by the Alabama Network of Child Advocacy Centers.
(6) Offer on-site medical exams and mental health therapy or provide referrals for off-site medical exams and mental health therapy. The center shall provide follow-up on cases referred for mental health therapy.
(7) Provide training for multidisciplinary team members in the community that respond to cases of possible child abuse.
(8) Participate in an interagency agreement covering those aspects of agency participation in a multidisciplinary approach to child sexual and serious physical abuse cases. The agreement must be signed by the following:
a. The local district attorney, or his or her designee.
b. A designee of the Department of Human Resources.
c. A designee of a local law enforcement agency.
d. The director of the child advocacy center.
(9) Provide assurance that staff and volunteers at the center are trained and screened by appropriate resources as specified by the Alabama Network of Children's Advocacy Centers.
(Acts 1992, No. 92-558, p. 1161, §1; Act 2019-455, §1.)