Last updated:  August 2011

Marla D. Herrick, BSW, M.Ed., MA
Child Injury Prevention Manager
Bureau of Women’s and Children’s Health
150 N. 18th Avenue, Ste. 320
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone: 602-364-4683
Fax: 602-364-1494
Email: Marla.Herrick@azdhs.gov

Website: http://www.azdhs.gov/phs/owch/cfr.htm

Tools

• Arizona Child Death Review Legislation

Reports

• Arizona 8th Annual Report, November 2001
• Arizona 9th Annual Report, November 2002
• Arizona 10th Annual Report, November 2003
• Arizona 11th Annual Report, November 2004
• Arizona 12th Annual Report, November 2005
• Arizona 13th Annual Report, November 2006
• Arizona 14th Annual Report, November 2007
• Arizona 15th Annual Report, January 2009
• Arizona 16th Annual Report, November 2009

Local Team Reports

• County-Specific Child Fatality Review Reports

Mortality Statistics

• Arizona Child Mortality Data, 2002
• Arizona Child Mortality Data, 2003
• Arizona Child Mortality Data, 2005
• Arizona Child Mortality Data, 2006
• Arizona Child Mortality Data, 2007

Program Description

Administration
The Arizona Child Fatality Review Program was established by statute (section 36-3501 et seq.) in 1993.  Arizona’s CFR Program has an annual budget of $350,000 that is funded by the state. Funding for the program has remained stable. The Department of Health Services assesses an additional $1 surcharge on all certified copies of death certificates to help fund the CFR program.

The program is housed out of the Department of Health Services. Two employees staff the state level program. The Arizona CFR Program also administers the state's Unexplained Infant Death Council.

Teams
Arizona has both state and local CFR teams.  The state level team is mandatory; the local level teams are permissible.  

State Team: (Chairperson - Dr. Mary Rimsza, MD)
The team is comprised of 22 members, meets quarterly and reviews the findings from the local teams. 

Local Teams:
There are 12 teams comprised of approximately 20 members. Teams meet as needed to complete reviews of all child deaths in their jurisdiction.  

Reviews
The Arizona CFR teams review deaths to children excluding fetals. They review cases to children that are less than 18 years old and that die in Arizona.  If a Arizona resident dies outside of the state, local teams do not review the case.

Purpose
The main purpose of Arizona’s CFR program is to prevent deaths. Surveillance is also an important part of the program. Public Health has always been the focus of Arizona’s program.

Data
Arizona uses the National Database for all data reporting. Data is stored and analyzed at the state level. Local teams can make data requests to the state program. The Arizona CFR program has access to state vital statistics. These death certificates help trigger the review as well as provide demographic information.

Annual Report
Arizona does produce an annual report, which is required annually by statute. The report is distributed to local teams and to Arizona’s governor and legislators.

Prevention Initiatives
CFR findings have influenced policy changes in Arizona. Statewide changes in laws have occurred because of recommendations from Arizona’s State CFR team to the legislature. Many local community policy changes have occurred because of CFR findings. There have been ordinance changes regarding pool-fencing, licensing for teen drivers and seat belts. Arizona’s CFR findings have also motivated prevention activity. The local teams, according to contract, have evaluated many of Arizona CDR prevention efforts. Most have used a variety of pre/post surveys.

Protocols
Arizona has a variety of protocols in place including CFR meeting, unexplained infant death investigation and confidentiality.

Training
Arizona CFR offers training and technical assistance for local teams.  Quarterly meetings are held with local coordinators in which staff share information on team protocols and/or other issues related to the CFR process.  Sometimes guest speakers are invited to present on a specific topic.