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Multi-disciplinary team from Alexandria wins state award for child safety efforts

By James Cullum
The Multi-Disciplinary Team from the Center for Alexandria's Children has been named the MDT of the Year by the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Virginia at the Virginia Crimes Against Children Conference, Nov. 2025 (courtesy photo)

A team of professionals in Alexandria has received a top statewide award for its work responding to allegations of child abuse.

Earlier this month, the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) from the Center for Alexandria’s Children received the 2025 MDT of the Year recognition by the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Virginia (CACVA) at the Virginia Crimes Against Children Conference in Virginia Beach.

The city’s agencies and partners work together to conduct thorough investigations when allegations are raised. In 2025, the Center for Alexandria’s Children conducted 76 children’s forensic interviews and provided services to a total of 169 kids, according to an annual report.

“Our city’s children deserve to grow up safe, supported, and surrounded by adults who believe in them,” Mayor Alyia Gaskins said in a release. “Alexandria’s MDT makes that possible by responding with empathy, expertise, and unity in moments that can define a child’s life. Their work reflects our shared commitment to equity and care, and this recognition is truly well deserved.”

Terri Cheshire, executive director of the Center for Alexandria’s Children, said the MDT is made of “extraordinary individuals.”

“They work with an unwavering belief that every child deserves a safe childhood, and I am so proud to see their compassion, dedication and courage team honored at the state level,” Cheshire said.

The team does the necessary “heart work” to “uplift children, ensure accountability, and honor the resiliency of survivors,” Commonwealth’s Attorney Bryan Porter said.

“There is no doubt that Alexandria’s amazing MDT, comprised of committed public servants who are motivated by their dedication to the community and to children, are richly deserving of this recognition,” Porter said. “In this season of Thanksgiving, I give thanks to the members of our MDT and to CACVA for recognizing their commitment.”

The MDT is made of staff from these agencies:

  • Alexandria Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) – Child Protective Services
  • DCHS – Community Services Board (Center for Children and Families)
  • DCHS – Sexual Assault Center
  • Alexandria Police Department
  • City Attorney’s Office
  • Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney
  • Inova Health System
  • Alexandria Health Department
  • The Center for Alexandria’s Children of Alexandria

About the Author

  • Reporter James Cullum has spent nearly 20 years covering Northern Virginia. He began working with ALXnow in 2020, and has covered every story under the sun for the publication, from investigative stories to features and photo galleries. His work includes coverage of national and international situations, as well as from the White House, Capitol, Pentagon, Supreme Court and State Department. He's covered protests and riots throughout the U.S. (including the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol), in addition to earthquake-ridden Haiti, Western Sahara in North Africa and war-torn South Sudan. He has photographed presidents and other world leaders, celebrities and famous musicians, and excels under pressure.