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Child Fatality Review Teams are uniquely qualified to understand what no
single agency or group working alone can- how and why children are dying in
this community. These teams are panels of multiple agency representatives
who review all child deaths regardless of cause.
Child Fatality Review Teams are mandated by Texas
Family Code Chapter 264.
The Smith County Child Fatality Review Team is made up of representatives
from:
·
Smith County Criminal
District Attorney’s Office
·
Smith County Sheriff’s
Office
·
Tyler Police Department
·
Justice of the Peace
·
Child Protective Services
·
Trinity Mother Frances
Hospitals and Clinics
·
East Texas Medical Center
·
Mental health professionals
·
Public health professionals
·
Juvenile Probation
·
Department of Public Safety
·
Tyler Independent School
District
·
Smith County Fire Marshal’s
office
·
Northeast Public Health
District
·
City of Tyler Fire
Marshal’s office
Each member brings to the team an expertise that is essential in
determining the cause of child deaths. Information shared by team
members is confidential by law. During a review, teams explore what each
member agency knows about the child, family and circumstances
surrounding the death. The review is concluded with these questions: Was
the death preventable? If so, how might the death have been prevented?
After each local team review, data is sent to the Texas Department of
State Health Services. DSHS compiles and analyzes information from the
46 review teams across the state. This information is forwarded to the
State Child Fatality Review Team Committee in Austin and every two years
the committee submits a compiled report of findings to the governor and
legislature. The efforts of these teams have resulted in child
fatalities being more accurately recorded and needed prevention
initiatives developed.
For more information on the Smith County Child Fatality Review Team,
call (903) 533-1880 or email
info@cacsmithcounty.org. |
