Nursing/Medical Division - Child Fatality Review
Child deaths are often regarded as an indicator of the health of a community. While mortality data provide us with an overall picture of child deaths (by number and cause), it is from a careful study of each and every child’s death that we can learn how best to respond to a death and how best to prevent another.
Recognizing the need to better understand why children die, the Ohio General Assembly passed Substitute House Bill Number 448 (HB 448) in July, 2000, mandating Child Fatality Review (CFR) Boards in each of Ohio’s counties (or regions) to review the deaths of children under eighteen years of age.
Purpose:
The ultimate purpose of the local review boards, as clearly described in the law, is to reduce the incidence of preventable child deaths. To accomplish this, it is expected that local review boards will:
- Promote cooperation, collaboration and communication between all groups that serve families and children
- Maintain a database of all child deaths to develop an understanding of the causes and incidence of those deaths
- Recommend and develop plans for implementing local service and program changes; and advise the department of health of aggregate data, trends and patterns found in child deaths.
Reports:
According to Ohio Revised Code (ORC) §3701-67-08, a joint annual report shall be prepared and published by Ohio Department of Health and Children’s Trust Fund Board. The report shall also contain any recommended changes to law and policy that might prevent future deaths.
Ohio’s Child Fatality Review Annual Reports can be found at: http://www.odh.ohio.gov/odhPrograms/cfhs/cfr/cfrrept.aspx
For More Information, contact:
Chris Cherry BSN, RN
at 419-668-1652 or
Ohio Department of Health
Child Fatality Review Program
246 North High Street, 6th Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Telephone: (614) 728-0773
Information from the Ohio Department of Health and the National MCH Center for Child Death Review.
