The Texas Alliance for Drug Endangered Children (TADEC) advocates intervention on behalf of these children and urges communities to build collaborative, effective multidisciplinary teams-DEC Teams- to provide coordinated services and support for these child victims.  These teams include first responders, family protective services, law enforcement, medical and mental health professionals, prosecutors, child advocates, substance abuse treatment providers, educators, and other community leaders and concerned citizens.  While the primary purpose of a multidisciplinary team is to create a safety net for children, ensuring that they will not fall through the “cracks of the system,” it can also ensure that the interests of all concerned parties are addressed and identify service gaps and breakdowns in coordination or communication between agencies or individuals. Coordinated multidisciplinary investigations enhance information gathering, evidence integrity, interventions, and comprehensive treatment services for children and their families.

Upon removal from a dangerous environment, drug endangered children need the immediate attention of child welfare services and assessment by medical and mental health professionals.  If parents have endangered children, their actions may necessitate prosecution, termination of parental rights or court supervision of family reunification.  DEC teams help ensure that all the needs of each child are met and that evidence is gathered to support the management and prosecution of each case.  DEC teams seek the long-term goal of providing safe, supportive and drug-free environments which permit children to prosper.

National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children Decontamination Procedure - PDF