Commission approves 43 freestanding multidisciplinary teams for 2026; staff highlights rural coverage and new database reporting

Britney Gassner (OCCY) explained the statutory requirements, formation timeline and review process for freestanding multidisciplinary teams and presented 43 teams for approval for 2026, including three newly provisionally functioning teams in Harmon, Hughes and Jefferson counties.

Gassner described the statutory core disciplines required on a freestanding MDT—district attorney’s office, law enforcement, child protective services, medical personnel experienced in child maltreatment, a licensed mental-health professional, and a dedicated team coordinator—and the difference between freestanding teams and child advocacy center–based teams (freestanding teams typically serve rural areas and are statutorily separate from accredited child advocacy centers).

She outlined the January–July timeline for new teams, the requirement to hold six consecutive monthly meetings, and documentation required for provisional functioning (interagency agreements, protocols for joint investigations and forensic interviews, confidentiality agreements, sign-in sheets, a financial agent and fiscal policies). Gassner noted statutory confidentiality protections for case staffings (breach can carry criminal penalties and fines) and previewed the new secure database that teams will use to collect data starting Nov. 1.

Gassner said OCCY has steadily increased county coverage over the past three years and that the secure database provides new metrics—joint investigations, forensic interview usage, subsequent arrests and case outcomes—that were previously unavailable. After the presentation the commission voted by roll call to approve the 43 teams for 2026; the motion passed.