Multidisciplinary Assessment Team (MAT)

Multidisciplinary Assessment Team (MAT) is an exciting collaborative effort between the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), the Department of Mental Health (DMH) and other community providers. It is designed to ensure the immediate and comprehensive assessment of children and youth entering out-of-home placement. The MAT Program has been operational countywide since October 2009. The Child and Family Development Center is a provider agency.

Our Program

Two girls in hallway at middle school

When a child is newly detained, he/she is eligible to receive a MAT assessment through DCFS. The MAT assessment was designed to make sure that all child/family needs are assessed when a child/youth enters foster care. This assessment is meant to help a family meet some special needs a child or children may have that place this family in danger of a lengthy separation. The information gathered by this assessment will be used to determine what services are most needed by the child or children with the intention of using this information for the most appropriate placement of the child while ensuring that his/her needs will be met.

MAT assessments address the following areas:

  • Child and family strengths and needs
  • Caregiver strengths and needs
  • Education
  • Mental health
  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Developmental
  • Hearing/language
  • Vocational

Program goals

  • Timely and comprehensive strengths-based assessment of children and families
  • Earlier diagnosis of critical medical and mental health conditions
  • Increased cooperation between families, caregivers, providers of services and DCFS
  • More appropriate placement decisions for children
  • More consideration given to sibling, relative and community placements
  • Earlier access to medical, educational and mental health services for children and families

Participants in the MAT Process

  • Parents
  • Caregivers
  • Children (as appropriate)
  • DMH MAT assessor
  • DCFS MAT coordinator
  • Service providers
  • DCFS CSW and/or DI
  • Public health nurse
  • Other CSAT members

Contact Us

Call us for intake: 310-829-8921.