CF/NF Review Team
The Allegheny County Child Fatality/Near Fatality Review Team
As mandated by state legislation, Act 33, passed in 2008, Allegheny County developed a core Child Fatality/Near Fatality (CF/NF) Review Team in December 2008. This 24-member team is comprised of DHS staff and community leaders who are well-versed in the field of child abuse. The Allegheny County CF/NF Review Team is chaired by Dr. Mary Carrasco, long-time champion of child abuse prevention and director of international and community health for Pittsburgh Mercy Health System.
Current Allegheny County CF/NF Review Team Members
In addition, in Allegheny County core members(PDF, 342KB) are always joined by other professionals with particular expertise in the special circumstances surrounding each case.
CF/NF Research Reports
Improving Systems to Protect Children in Allegheny County: A Report of the Child Fatality/Near-Fatality Review Team, 2012(PDF, 433KB)
September 2013
This report describes the findings and outcomes from the 2012 Child Fatality/Near-Fatality reviews as well as the case practice and system reforms enacted to reduce the likelihood of future child abuse-related incidents.
Improving Systems to Protect Children in Allegheny County: A Report of the Child Fatality/Near-Fatality Review Team, 2009-10(PDF, 954KB)
2011
This report describes the findings and outcomes from the 2012 Child Fatality/Near-Fatality reviews as well as the case practice and system reforms enacted to reduce the likelihood of future child abuse-related incidents.
Background Information
Preparation for Review by CF/NF Review Team
Allegheny County convenes the CF/NF Review Team within 31 days of receiving a suspected child abuse report that resulted in a child death or near death. In advance of the review meeting, staff from the DHS Office of Data Analysis, Research and Evaluation (DARE) support the review team's task by researching the case, using a three-part, fact-finding process.
Independent, Comprehensive and Critical Review of Case Records
DARE staff from the Quality Improvement Team thoroughly and critically review past and current Allegheny County DHS Office of Children, Youth and Families (CYF) case records, while asking the following types of questions:
- If CYF was involved with the family, what are the details of that involvement?
- What other DHS offices and systems of care were involved with the child and family?
- What steps were taken to identify and address known safety factors?
- Who are the people (family, informal supports, professionals) who have played a role in the life of the child and family?
- What information can be provided by medical professionals, law enforcement, education professionals and others?
Review of Service Histories for the Child, Family and Caregivers
By utilizing DHS electronic data systems, DARE staff track the service histories of the child, family and caregivers, including the alleged perpetrator. Information including dates, types of services and providers of services are stored in these confidential, password-protected DHS applications.
Interviews with DHS Staff and Providers
DARE staff interview DHS staff, especially staff from CYF, that have current and past involvement with the child and family. These interviews gather additional information that assists in the review process. These interviews also allow a crosscheck of the information previously gathered with information from professionals directly involved in the case.
Pre-reporting
Findings are summarized that tell the story of the child, family and service community, including details surrounding the child's death or near death. A smaller pre-review team, comprised of staff from several DHS offices – and facilitated by Dr. Edward Sites, Professor Emeritus from the University of Pittsburgh, School of Social Work – reviews the summarized information, identifies gaps in information and asks the casework staff for clarification of information. This meeting serves to bring all participants to full knowledge about what information, possible questions and recommendations will be presented at the full CF/NF Review Team meeting.
CFNF Review Team Meeting
When the full CF/NF Review Team convenes, core members and case-specific attendees, including the CYF caseworkers and supervisors as well as professionals from other related disciplines, share what they know about the case in an open and candid way with the rest of the team. The tone of the meetings is non-adversarial, positive, and focused on solutions. Based on all gathered information and subsequent discussions, the team generates a written report that is approved by the chair and then sent to the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. The report includes recommendations for changes at the state and local levels on reducing the likelihood of future child fatalities or near fatalities related to child abuse.
System Improvements Resulting from CF/NF Recommendations
Additional Resources