A Multi-Disciplinary Approach to Protecting our Children

Entities within LCO and Sawyer County are joining the nationwide trend for improving the overall handling of child abuse cases by forming a Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT). The MDT will develop working protocols that will aim to reduce trauma to children and families experiencing child abuse. By improving interagency coordination we will minimize the number of times a child has to tell their story of abuse. This team method also improves the opportunity for children and families to heal by having a more responsive and accountable system.

One of the key tools for the MDT is an interview room specially designed for interviewing children. Approximately 3 years ago ICW Director LuAnn Kolumbus wrote a grant to the Department of Justice for audio-visual equipment to be utilized when for forensic interviews of children that may have been physically or sexually abused. Recently this equipment was relocated to a room located in the Social Services wing at the Tribal Office. Jane Flygstad, Children’s Justice Act Grant Coordinator contacted Slumberland Furniture in Hayward and they were very generous in donating 2 chairs and a table for the interview room! LCO children and/or Sawyer County kids will now be interviewed in a neutral, child friendly, non-threatening atmosphere by highly trained personnel and they will not have to travel to Duluth or Eau Claire for this service. Currently, LCO employees Tibissum Rice, Dianne Sullivan, Lisa Martin, Jane Flygstad, Officer Joel Valentin, Officer Eric Swan, Officer Twilah Daily and Officer Mike Sanchez have received training in basic and advanced child forensic interviewing skills.

On November 15th LCO staff (Police Officers, ICW Workers, AODA-Mental Health & Medical Personnel and Oakwood Haven Victim Advocate), Hayward Hospital Staff, as well as members of the Sawyer County Human Services Department, Sawyer County Sheriff’s Department, Hayward City Police and the District Attorney’s office participated in Child Abuse/Neglect Multi-disciplinary Team Training.

Team Members present were LuAnn Kolumbus, LCO Indian Child Welfare(ICW) Director, Lisa Martin, LCO ICW, Tiffiny Leach, LCO ICW, Tibissum Rice, LCO ICW, Dianne Sullivan, LCO ICW, Jane Flygstad, US Dept of Justice, Project Coordinator, LCO ICW, Lisa Perry, LCO Health Clinic, John Yackel, Sawyer County Assistant District Attorney, Courtney Allensworth, LCO Tribal Attorney, Paul Grahovac, Sawyer County Health and Human Services Director, Eric Swan, Sensitive Crimes Investigator, LCO Police Department, Tracy Martin, LCO Mental Health, Mark Kelsey, Sawyer County Sheriff, Brigettte Kornbroke, Sawyer County Sheriff’s Dept. Chief Deputy, Sara Ross-Poquette, Sawyer County Health and Human Services, Melinda Taylor, Oakwook Haven, Victim Advocate, Carrie Feck, Sawyer County Health and Human Services, Joel Clapero, City of Hayward, Police Chief, Dan Ross, Sawyer County Sheriff’s Dept. Investigator, J.T. Wohling, City of Hayward Police Dept. Investigator/Patrolman.

Our Trainers were: Ann Hraychuck, Nationally Certified Drug Endangered Children (DEC) Program, Doreen Wehmas, Intake and Assessment Unit Supervisor, Douglas County Department of Health and Human Services, Joan Wilson, Family Services Supervisor, Washburn County Health and Human Services, Tom Fallon, Deputy DA Dane County, Sheriff Terry Dryden, Washburn County, Chief Depty. Mike Richter, Washburn County.

In the next two years the team will participate in more specialized training including: Drug Endangered Children, Trauma Informed Care, Forensic Interviewing and Team Development.