NCJ Number
152451
Date Published
1992
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This testimony on fatal child abuse and neglect before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Select Education reviews what is happening in the States regarding the investigation of child fatalities and suggests how the Federal Government can aid in this effort.
Abstract
All States are apparently headed in a similar direction in their response to child fatalities. Actions include State multiagency teams, teams in urban counties, expansion of local teams to cover all counties, use of case review to improve intervention systems, protocols for case management and data systems, a beginning focus on possible court or social sanctions, a growing emphasis on all categories of preventable death, and a growing number of annual public reports. The testimony recommends that a central resource be established to track and coordinate the various local, State, and national efforts in criminal justice, health, and human services. This could be accomplished with a directory of teams, resources, and expertise; a collection of protocols, studies, and law; and a national data set that includes the FBI Uniform Crime Reports, Vital Statistics, and child abuse reports. Also, States that receive funds under the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act should be required to provide an annual report of efforts to address fatal child abuse and neglect. By 1994 States should be required minimally to account for multiagency teams, protocols, and data reports. The CAPTA authorized Presidential Commission on Child and Youth Deaths should be funded. At a minimum, resources should be given to another body, such as the U.S. Advisory Board on Child Abuse and Neglect, to complete the critical tasks related to child abuse and neglect fatalities.