NCJ Number
208494
Journal
Child Abuse & Neglect Volume: 26 Issue: 6/7 Dated: June 2002 Pages: 619-636
Date Published
June 2002
Length
18 pages
Annotation
In order to assess the status of child fatality review (CFR) teams in the United States, Canada, and Australia, open-ended surveys were delivered to teams in these countries to obtain information on the mission of child fatality review, legal authority/confidentiality, structure, membership funding/staff, data, technology, challenges, accomplishments, lessons learned, and future goals.
Abstract
CFR teams were found in all 50 U.S. States and the District of Columbia, most Canadian Provinces, and in New South Wales, Australia. Most teams noted a primary mission to prevent child death and serious injuries. Many focus on individual case management and improvement in intradepartmental and interdepartmental teamwork. Team structure varies, but generally includes a similar core membership, with representation from professionals in child abuse prevention, homicide investigation, medical examiner, pediatrics, health, mental health, child welfare, and alcohol and drug programs. Most teams select cases from the records of coroners/medical examiners, or vital statistics, using established protocols. Although most case review is conducted by local teams, State teams may review cases when the number of cases is small or more resources are required for specific types of cases. State teams often support local review through training, resources, policy development, and political assistance. An increasing number of teams are collecting data on their cases and issuing reports, which are often shared with other teams. The number of teams as well as their scope, expertise, and interagency cooperation continue to increase. Appended team accomplishments by State and Province, and 7 references