State Spotlight - Idaho

Last updated:  October 2012

Miren Unsworth
Child Welfare Program Manager
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
450 West State Street, 5th Floor
Boise, ID 83720-0036
Phone: 208-334-5925
Fax: 208-332-7330
Email: unswortm@dhw.idaho.gov


Teresa Abbott
Principal Analyst, Child Mortality Review
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
450 West State Street, 5th Floor
Boise, ID 83720-0036
Phone: 208-334-5732
Fax: 208-332-7330
Email: abbottt@dhw.idaho.gov

Website: http://www.idahochild.org/

Reports
Mortality Statistics Program Description

Administration
The Idaho Child Mortality Review Team was established by executive order in 1998.  The program was housed out of the Department of Health and Welfare.  Currently, the state of Idaho does not have a child death review program but are working to re-establish the statewide team as funding becomes available.

Teams
Idaho had a state level review team.

Reviews
The Idaho Child Mortality Review Team reviewed cases of children ages 0-18.  They reviewed child abuse deaths, preventable deaths and deaths due to external causes, unexplained or deaths with modifiable risk factors.

Purpose
The purpose of Idaho's Child Mortality Review Program was prevention.

Data
Data was collected for the review process from autopsy reports, coroner's reports, law enforcement reports, medical records, EMS records and child protection records.

Annual Report
An annual report was submitted to the Governor and chairs of the Senate and House Health and Welfare teams.  The report includes conclusions and recommendations per category of death such as legislation to ensure that passengers do not ride in the beds of pick-up trucks, public education regarding drug use by children and adolescents and the availability of free smoke detectors.