State Spotlight - Missouri

Last updated:  April 2010

Maurine Hill
STAT Administrator
State Technical Assistance Team
PO Box 208
Jefferson City, MO 65102
Phone: 573-751-5980
Fax: 573-751-1479
Email: maurine.r.hill@dss.mo.gov

Website: http://www.dss.mo.gov/stat/mcfrp.htm

Tools
 Reports
Mortality Statistics Program Description

Administration
Missouri’s Child Fatality Review Program was established in 1991 by legislation. Its annual budget is $104,000 which is for E&E and is funded through general revenue, plus additional grants. Missouri also has an additional $639,000 for personal services.  Funding from year to year is somewhat stable, but is subject to Governor’s reserve and budget cuts. The program is housed out of the Social Services. There are 13 full-time, state-level unit employees and one part-time medical consultant, of which four are directly involved with the Child Fatality Review Program (one out-posted to the Kansas City metro area). Missouri’s CDR efforts also include the State Technical Assistance Team, which focuses on child abuse, exploitation and fatality investigations.

Teams
Missouri has both state and local teams.

State Team: (Co-Chairpersons - Wayne Munkel and Harold Bengsch)
The Team is comprised of 27 members and meets bi-annually. This panel is responsible for providing oversight and making recommendations to the Department of Social Services and the State Technical Assistance Team.

Local Teams:
Missouri requires each of its 114 counties, and the City of St Louis, to have a multidisciplinary Child Fatality Review Panel. There are 115 teams comprised of seven or more team members that meet per reviewable death.

Reviews
The Missouri CDR teams review deaths that occur to children under the age of 18. Missouri offers prevention information, community assistance, bereavement and SIDS services as well. These services are provided primarily at the community level.

Purpose
The purpose of the Missouri CDR team is prevention, to provide services and investigation by individual agencies. This has always been the focus.

Data
Standardized data reporting forms are completed for all reviews. This is required by state legislation and policy. Missouri CDR has access to state vital statistics and child abuse and neglect reporting systems, using this information to link with their data reporting tools. Data is stored in various ways, paper copies are filed, data is entered into an in-house Access database & a department mainframe system. Data is analyzed through Access and department mainframe system queries.  Missouri is currently working to convert reporting processes to the National CDR Internet-based data reporting system.

Annual Report
Missouri does produce an annual report. The latest annual report available is for 2008. The report is distributed to a mandatory distribution list which includes government officials and CFRP panel members and anyone requesting copies, as available.  Annual reports are available online, http://www.dss.missouri.gov/re/cfrar.htm.

Prevention Initiatives
CDR findings have influenced policy changes. Statewide and local examples of these changes include: a focus in the areas of child fatalities and serious injury prevention, crimes and punishment, training and investigation. Prevention activities motivated by CDR findings include training on prevention of child fatalities in the area of SIDS, unintentional injuries, Fire safety programs, Gun safety programs, Safe Crib/Safe Sleep programs and Never Shake A Baby programs. Missouri CDR efforts have been evaluated by the University of Missouri Research Program.

Protocols
Missouri CDR has a variety of protocols in place including child death investigation, confidentiality, and the CDR meeting.

Training
Training is provided on a routine basis. Types of training include: supports for the field-level intervention/investigative community to help realistically convert policy into practice. The trainings are funded with Department funds, the Criminal Justice Act and The Missouri Children’s Trust Fund.