State Spotlight - Vermont

Last updated:  March 2011

Patrick Malone
University of Vermont
655 C Spear Street
Burlington, VT 05405
Phone: 802-656-3489
Fax: 804-371-8595
Email: patrick.malone@uvm.edu
Tools
 Reports
 Mortality Statistics Program Description

Administration
The Vermont Child Fatality Review Committee was authorized by state statute.  Facilitation is provided on a volunteer basis from a non-state government organization.  Since 2001, the coordination of the committee has been provided by the University of Vermont.

Teams
Vermont has both state and local teams that review child deaths.

State Team:
There is one statewide team that meets monthly to review recent deaths and to conduct other business. The team, consisting of approximately fifteen members, is empaneled under state statute by the Commissioner of Social and Rehabilitative Services.  Members are from such organizations as the Department of Social and Rehabilitative Services, the Department of Health, the Department of Education, University of Vermont, Fletcher Allen Health Care (the state's only tertiary medical center), Vermont State Police, Attorney General's Office, a pediatrician, the representative of the public, etc.  There are three subcommittees, defined by the medical examiner's classifications of; 1) natural deaths, 2) unnatural, unintentional deaths, and 3) unnatural, intentional deaths.  All child deaths in Vermont are reviewed annually by these committees, and those of an unexpected nature are reviewed monthly by the full committee.

Local Teams:
Each of Vermont's thirteen counties are represented by a local Child Protection Team that reviews cases of child abuse (fatal and non-fatal) or unusual events of child injury or death. These teams vary from representing one town or area to representing two counties. However, the system is designed to allow for statewide coverage so that all events of child abuse and death can be reviewed locally.

Reviews
The State Team conducts in depth reviews of every child death (ages birth to 17 years) from unnatural or unexpected circumstances, ie; those from injury or homicide.  Information is obtained from the State Medical Examiner reports, police reports, social services files, etc.  Cases of homicide are given a full review by the committee - invited witnesses provide formal testimony to the committee.  After each review, a summary report and recommendations for prevention or system change is prepared and sent to the referring organization and to the Commissioners of SRS and the Department of Health. 

Purpose
To review statistical data and individual cases of child death to identify patterns, trends, and possible predictors of child deaths. To indentify social/health/judicial systems strengths and weaknesses as they impact on child fatalities.  To develop and recommend changes in procedures, resources, and service delivery systems that impact children and families.  To influence the development of policies and laws regarding children and families.

Data
Data for review purposes is obtained from Medical Examiner's office, vital statistics, police reports, and other sources as appropriate.

Annual Report
Provides a summary of the yearly activities and the cases reviewed.  Provides a series of recommendations for systems change either locally or statewide which are designed to prevent future child death, injury, or abuse. Recommendations are formulated from the findings of the death reviews performed during the previous year. The report contains a summary of statistics describing the number and nature of all child deaths (birth through age 17) from the previous year.  (The report is not produced annually due to lack of capacity because of the volunteer status of the team members.)

Prevention Initiatives
The Committee writes letters with recommendations to the Commissioner of Child Welfare. 

Protocols
The State Team meets monthly and reviews the deaths seen by the medical examiners office (deaths due to possible homicide or that otherwise occurred suddenly or unexpectedly.)  Referrals may be received from the Local Teams, child health and welfare agencies, individual team members, or the three subcommittees.  All child deaths are summarized by the data in the annual report.

Training
Support for attendance at national conferences is provided. Members also attend trainings via their individual work situations and share learning with team members. A joint team meeting with professional updates and training is held with Maine and New Hampshire yearly.