4.2.1.1  Definition

The authority for the existence and function of the State Technical Assistance Team is found in Chapter 660.520 RSMo.  State Technical Assistance Team for child sexual abuse cases, duties… “There is hereby established in the department of social services a special team, to be known as the “state technical assistance team”, to assist in cases of child abuse, child neglect, child sexual abuse, child exploitation, child pornography, or child fatality…state technical assistance team investigators licensed as peace officers by the director of the department of public safety pursuant to chapter 590, RSMo, shall be deemed to be peace officers within the state of Missouri while acting in an investigation or on behalf of a child.  The power of arrest of a state technical assistance team investigator acting as a peace officer shall be limited to offenses involving child abuse, child neglect, child sexual abuse, child exploitation, child pornography, or child fatality or in situations of imminent danger to the investigator or another person…”

4.2.1.2  Types of Situations Investigated by STAT:

• Child Fatalities
  • Includes all fatalities involving children in the care, custody, control or supervision of the State of Missouri.
  • All other requests for child fatality investigations or assists.
• Sexual Abuse
• Physical Abuse
• Computer Exploitation/Pornography/Neglect/Others
• High Profile Cases
  • Includes cases receiving media coverage.
• Conflict of Interest Cases
  • Includes cases in which the alleged perpetrator is a law enforcement official, juvenile officer, Children’s Division employee, etc.
• CA/N’s Involving Multiple Jurisdictions
  • Including cases in which multiple victims of the same alleged perpetrator have come forward.

4.2.1.3  Making a Referral to STAT:

A referral to STAT can be made by Missouri law enforcement agencies, State and Federal Prosecutors, Medical Examiners and Coroners, Family or Juvenile Court, Department of Social Services (Administrators, Children's Division, Division of Youth Services and Division of Legal Services), Department of Mental Health and Federal law enforcement agencies.

All staff considering a CA/N for referral should consult with their direct supervisor with the final decision being approved by the Regional Director or their designee. If the decision is made to refer to STAT, initiate the process after consulting with local law enforcement officials. In some areas there may be an established standing agreement that all serious cases of child abuse/neglect be referred to STAT, however, in those cases it is still expected for the CSW to complete the referral after reviewing the matter with their direct supervisor with final approval of the Regional Director or their designee.

Initial contact to STAT may be made by telephone at 573-751-5980 with a subsequent request formalized in writing on the State Technical Assistance Team (STAT) Request for Assistance Form, which will either be E-mailed or faxed to the requesting personnel by STAT personnel.

STAT will then assess the request to determine acceptance and/or refusal. If accepted, STAT will begin a co-investigative process with CD. If the request is refused, STAT will notify the requesting personnel/agency in writing, explaining the reason for their refusal.

4.2.1.4  The Role of STAT and CD Co-Investigating:

Consistent with the aforementioned definition of authority and purpose of STAT, any STAT investigator involved in the co-investigation of a reported concern of child abuse or neglect is functioning in the role of a licensed peace officer as endowed by the Director of the Department of Public Safety pursuant to Chapter 590, RSMo. In cases in which there are no other law enforcement agencies involved, STAT will take the lead role in completing the pending criminal investigation.

STAT’s involvement in Children’s Division cases is appropriate when deemed necessary; however, their involvement is not a substitute for Children’s Division. STAT’s involvement does not relieve a Children’s Service Worker of their responsibilities to investigate reports of child abuse and neglect, to make appropriate contact with families, and to assume responsibility for the initial and on-going safety assurances of children during the investigation.

When working with STAT, the Children’s Service Worker is still responsible for conducting a thorough investigation in accordance with Children’s Division policy, including:

• Notifying law enforcement of the report;
• Assuring Child Safety;
• Establishing appropriate safety plans;
• Making contact with family members and alleged perpetrator(s) (note: the Children’s Service Worker may cooperate with STAT and/or Law Enforcement as to who will conduct the interview with the alleged perpetrator or other parties);
• Reaching a conclusion and documenting the finding in FACES; and,
• All other duties required by Children’s Division policy when conducting an investigation.

4.2.1.5  Resources Available to STAT:

4.2.1.6   Delayed Conclusions Involving STAT:

Should there be a good cause for failure to complete the investigation in the information system within the allotted time period of 30 days, the delayed conclusion of an investigation involving STAT should be given the same considerations set forth in the Child Welfare Manual that would apply to delayed conclusions of co-investigations involving law enforcement.

NOTE: Do not delay conclusion of the CA/N report because the explanation has not been received from law enforcement.