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State Spotlight - Kentucky
 Last
updated: March 2011
Teddy Slone, MPH
Child Fatality Review and Injury Prevention
Health Program Administrator
Division of Maternal and Child Health
Department for Public Health
275 East Main Street, Mail Stop HS2GW-A
Frankfort, Kentucky 40621
Phone: (502) 564-2154 Ext 3857
Email: teddy.slone@ky.gov
Website: http://chfs.ky.gov/dph/ach/mch/childfatality/
Tools
Reports
Mortality Statistics
Program Description
Administration
Kentucky's Child Fatality Review Program was established by statute
(section 211.680 et seq.) in 1996. The program has an annual budget
of $235,600. Funding comes from the Title V Block grant. Some funding
is given to local health departments for child death review. The
program is housed out of the Department of Public Health. There is one
state level employee that staffs the program. Kentucky is part of
the Southeast Coalition on Child Fatalities.
Teams
Kentucky has both state and local teams, which are not mandated.
State Team Chairperson: Vacant
The team is comprised of nine and meets at least on a quarterly basis.
An additional eight members will be appointed soon.
Local Teams:
The chairperson at the local level is the County Coroner. Local
teams can be set up as response, review or investigation teams. There
are 65 teams which cover approximately 54% of the counties. Teams
are comprised of six to ten members.
Reviews
The Kentucky State CFR team reviews deaths that are special request
only. The local teams review coroner deaths. Both teams review cases of
children under the age of 18 years old. A physician panel member generally
reviews the infant deaths.
Purpose
The purpose of Kentucky's CFR program is for local teams to conduct
investigations, for state and local health departments and local CFR teams
to provide services, to prevent deaths and quality assurance at the state
health department.
Bereavement services are offered through the local health departments.
Services for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome are offered through a separate
Kentucky Alliance.
Data
Standardized data reporting forms are completed for all reviews. This
is required by state statute. Data is stored on hard copy and electronically.
Data is used in writing the annual CFR report. The Kentucky CFR program
has access to state vital statistics.
Annual Report
Kentucky does produce an annual report based on calendar year data.
The report is distributed to selected government officials, Department
of Public Health staff, local health departments, coroners and others upon
request.
Prevention Initiatives
CFR findings have influenced policy changes in Kentucky. Statewide
examples of these changes include a possible 2004 General Legislative Assembly
passage of primary offense (presently secondary offense) for older child/adult
(already primary for infants) seat belt law, primary enforcement law for
child booster safety seat and six months extension of existing graduated
licensing for new 16-year-old drivers. They are also hopeful for helmet
use and restrictions regarding child ATV operators. Kentucky CFR findings
motivated prevention activities through the high percentage of health departments
that offer community outreach prevention education, in addition to other
community child safety action groups (fire, EMS, Safe Kids, Safe Communities,
Risk Watch, etc.).
Protocols
Kentucky has a variety of protocols in place including confidentiality,
agency representations for teams members, child death investigation and
CFR meeting. The program has also developed a Kentucky Child Fatality Review
Handbook that includes guidelines for the protocols.
Training
Kentucky CFR primarily coordinates training, but occasionally presents.
Training is funded through state funds or grants as needed. Agencies occasional
provide training at no charge. Future training planned include grief counseling
and technical assistance during on-site visits to local CFR education meetings. |
