| ITEM #: 4. DATE: 09/28/2026 AI #:3440 |
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CITY COUNCIL ACTION REPORT
| SUBJECT: | APPROVAL OF MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) FOR FORENSIC MEDICAL SERVICES AT THE SOUTHWEST FAMILY ADVOCACY CENTER (SWFAC) |
| STAFF PRESENTER(S): | Brian Issitt, Chief of Police |
SUMMARY
The Southwest Family Advocacy Center (SWFAC) provides a coordinated, multidisciplinary response to children who are victims of abuse. HonorHealth and Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Inc. provide forensic medical teams that support SWFAC by conducting forensic medical examinations of children presenting with allegations of abuse.
The proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) formalizes the roles and responsibilities of the participating governmental agencies, HonorHealth, and Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Inc. in supporting SWFAC services and multidisciplinary coordination.
The proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) formalizes the roles and responsibilities of the participating governmental agencies, HonorHealth, and Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Inc. in supporting SWFAC services and multidisciplinary coordination.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT
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RECOMMENDATION
Approve the MOU with the Southwest Family Advocacy Center, Partnering Agencies, HonorHealth, and Phoenix Children's Hospital, Inc., to support the continued provision of forensic medical services at the Southwest Family Advocacy Center, and provide authorization and direction to the City Manager, or designee, to take actions and execute documents necessary to carry out the intent of the agreement. (Brian Issitt, Chief of Police)
FISCAL IMPACT
Operational costs associated with SWFAC are shared among the Partnering Agencies based on budget information provided by the City of Avondale. The City of Goodyear's Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 share of SWFAC operational costs is included in the Police Department's adopted base budget in the amount of $479,000. Approval of the MOU does not require additional budget authority.
BACKGROUND AND PREVIOUS ACTIONS
The Southwest Family Advocacy Center opened in May 2008 to provide a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach to the investigation, assessment, treatment, and prosecution of cases involving children who are victims of abuse. The center brings together law enforcement, child protection, prosecution, medical, mental health, and other professionals to coordinate services and minimize additional trauma to children and their families.
On July 13, 2015, Council approved the First Amendment to the Amended and Restated Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) governing participation in SWFAC. The agreement established a framework for participating governmental agencies to collaboratively provide services and share costs associated with SWFAC operations.
SWFAC operates pursuant to various intergovernmental agreements among its participating governmental agencies. HonorHealth and Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Inc. participate in the center’s multidisciplinary approach by providing forensic medical teams that conduct examinations of children presenting with allegations of abuse.
The proposed MOU formalizes the continued collaboration among the participating governmental agencies, HonorHealth, and Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Inc., and establishes the roles and responsibilities of each participating entity. The MOU identifies an effective date of November 1, 2025, and provides for a five-year term from the date of signature unless terminated earlier in accordance with the agreement.
On July 13, 2015, Council approved the First Amendment to the Amended and Restated Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) governing participation in SWFAC. The agreement established a framework for participating governmental agencies to collaboratively provide services and share costs associated with SWFAC operations.
SWFAC operates pursuant to various intergovernmental agreements among its participating governmental agencies. HonorHealth and Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Inc. participate in the center’s multidisciplinary approach by providing forensic medical teams that conduct examinations of children presenting with allegations of abuse.
The proposed MOU formalizes the continued collaboration among the participating governmental agencies, HonorHealth, and Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Inc., and establishes the roles and responsibilities of each participating entity. The MOU identifies an effective date of November 1, 2025, and provides for a five-year term from the date of signature unless terminated earlier in accordance with the agreement.
STAFF ANALYSIS
SWFAC provides a centralized, child-focused environment where participating agencies and service providers can coordinate the investigation and response to allegations of child abuse. This multidisciplinary approach supports collaboration among law enforcement, child protection, prosecution, medical, mental health, and other professionals while helping minimize the number of interviews and medical examinations a child may experience.
Under the proposed MOU, participating governmental agencies agree to support the center and coordinate investigative activities as resources allow. The MOU also establishes specific responsibilities for HonorHealth and Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Inc., including the use of their respective forensic teams to provide unbiased forensic medical examinations to children presenting to the center with allegations of abuse.
The MOU further establishes expectations related to multidisciplinary case coordination, confidentiality, information sharing, training, and compliance with applicable federal and state laws and SWFAC policies.
Approval of the MOU, included as Attachment A, will formalize the roles and responsibilities of the participating entities and support the continued delivery of coordinated forensic medical and investigative services to children served by SWFAC.
Under the proposed MOU, participating governmental agencies agree to support the center and coordinate investigative activities as resources allow. The MOU also establishes specific responsibilities for HonorHealth and Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Inc., including the use of their respective forensic teams to provide unbiased forensic medical examinations to children presenting to the center with allegations of abuse.
The MOU further establishes expectations related to multidisciplinary case coordination, confidentiality, information sharing, training, and compliance with applicable federal and state laws and SWFAC policies.
Approval of the MOU, included as Attachment A, will formalize the roles and responsibilities of the participating entities and support the continued delivery of coordinated forensic medical and investigative services to children served by SWFAC.