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State Spotlight - North Carolina
 Last updated: May 2006
Brenda Edwards
North Carolina Division of Public Health
1928 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27599-1928
Phone: 919-707-5623
Fax: 919-870-4882
Email: Brenda.Edwards@ncmail.net
Website:
http://www.ocme.unc.edu/nccfpp/index.shtml
Tools
Mortality Statistics
Program Description
Administration
North Carolina’s Child Fatality Prevention Program was established in
1995. The program has an annual budget of $78,000 that is funded by the
State Legislature. Funding for the program is year-to-year. The program
is housed out of the Division of Public Health. There is one employee
at the state level.
Teams
North Carolina has both state and local CDR teams.
State Team: (Chairperson - Dr. Edie Kocis)
The team is comprised of 15 members and meets monthly.
Local Teams:
There are 100 local teams of 15 members each. The teams are required to
meet quarterly, but some meet monthly.
Reviews
North Carolina reviews fatalities not due to abuse or neglect, e.g.
fire, drowning, suicide, illness, etc to children under 18 years old.
Purpose
The purpose of the North Carolina CDR Program is to identify system
problems, make recommendations for prevention of future fatalities and
also to identify trends to make their communities aware of how children
are dying.
Data
Standardized data reporting forms are completed for all reviews as
required by law. North Carolina CDR has access to state vital
statistics which are used by local teams as they conduct child death
reviews. CDR data is stored using an Access data program. Information
is retrieved and compiled into a report identifying trends and
documenting local Team prevention activities.
Annual Report
North Carolina is in the process of producing an annual report. The
report will be distributed to state and local teams.
Prevention Initiatives
CDR findings have
influenced policy changes. Statewide examples are the Graduated Drivers
License Law and the enactment of an Infant Homicide Prevention Act.
Local community examples include increased public education such as
signs at beaches in Spanish and a change in policy at local mental
health centers regarding follow up when clients miss appointments.
Protocols
North Carolina has a variety of protocols in place including CDR
meetings and confidentiality.
Training
Training is provided and is funded through monies allocated for the
operation of the local team reviews.
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