A. Improving the Investigation of Sudden and Unexplained Infant Deaths: The National Sudden Unexplained Infant Death Investigation Initiative

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control has launched an initiative to improve both the investigation of and the reporting of SIDS and other sudden and unexpected infant deaths (SUID). This includes the new version of the National SUID Investigation Reporting Form and training materials as well as a new SUID Case Registry. The new form is a guide that standardizes the work and practices of EMS professionals, law enforcement, death scene investigators, medical examiners and coroners, death certifiers and child death review (CDR) team members. Information obtained by using the form in infant death investigations can also be used to guide the development of strategies for the prevention of infant deaths.

This workshop will improve participants’ knowledge and skills in:

• Understanding current data and trends in SUIDs in the United States.
• Conducting comprehensive SUID investigations, using the new standards.
• Conducting doll re-enactments effectively with families.
• Working with Families who have experienced a SUID.
• Building a state-wide, multi-disciplinary effort to improve SUID investigations and ensuing adoption of the new SUID standards.

Presenters:

B. So You’re New to CDR: Child Death Review 101

Forty-nine states are currently conducting child death reviews. This workshop will provide an introduction to the methodology of effective case review and effective team management, through the expertise of three state leaders with comprehensive state and local review teams. This workshop is designed for new CDR state program leaders or for Injury Prevention and MCH leaders wanting to learn more about how CDR typically functions at the state and local level. Topics covered in the session includes a description of the core functions and models of the process, team membership, case selection, type pf records used in reviews, and characteristics of effective reviews. Participants will conduct a mock case review exercise.

This workshop will improve participants’ knowledge and skills in:

• Understanding the goals and objectives of child death review.
• Planning and building an effective local or state CDR program.
• Understanding the pluses and minuses of legislation mandating reviews.
• Identifying team members representing multiple disciplines.
• Obtaining and sharing records for a comprehensive review.
• Conducting effective review meetings.
• Using review meeting findings for prevention and policy improvements.
• Understanding the dynamics of state versus local review teams.
• Understanding the problems, perils and promise of the state coordinator function.

Presenters:

Heidi A Hilliard, BA, MPH Candidate
Project Coordinator
Michigan Child Death Review
Child and Adolescent Health, Michigan Public Health Institute

Susan Rodriquez, BA
Texas Child Fatality Review Coordinator
Texas Department of State Health Services

Vick Zittle
Pennsylvania Child Death Review Coordinator
Pennsylvania American Academy of Pediatrics / Child Death Review

C. Case Review of Child Abuse and Neglect: New Approaches to Better Identify and Conduct Reviews in Order to Improve Child Welfare Systems

Child Death Review has been recognized as an effective approach to better identify and respond to child abuse and neglect. In fact, the origins of CDR came from studies demonstrating that multidisciplinary reviews of potential child abuse deaths led to improved identification, response and prosecution of abuse and neglect. A number of states have developed unique but effective approaches to identifying maltreatment deaths and conducting comprehensive reviews in a way that leads to demonstrated improvements in state and local child welfare systems. This workshop will describe these unique efforts in four states as models that others may want to adapt.

This workshop will improve participants’ knowledge and skills in:

• Identifying potential child maltreatment deaths using a variety of data sources.
• Different models of conducting maltreatment reviews to address systems problems across a broad spectrum, from early identification of harm through adjudication.
• Understanding federal disclosure laws and developing case reports for public disclosure.
• Creating a process to ensure state response and follow-up on recommendations for improvements.

D. Preventing Motor Vehicle Crashes to Young Drivers

Motor vehicle crashes is the number one cause of deaths to teenagers. Newly licensed drivers are especially at high risk of crashes, injuries and fatalities. This workshop will provide an overview on the latest research and evidence of the best practices that can prevent MVAs among teenagers.

This workshop will improve participants’ knowledge and skills in:

• Finding and using crash data to understand the scope of injuries and deaths in MVAs among young drivers.
• Understanding the risk and protective factors involved in teen MVA crashes.
• Using research on evidence based strategies to identify appropriate local and state prevention programs.
• Using resources to build prevention programs.

E. Addressing Youth Suicide: A Conversation about prevention, intervention and postvention

Adolescent suicide is one of the top three leading causes of deaths among adolescents. There have been a number of national and state initiatives to prevent suicides in response to the Garret Lee Smith Act. This workshop will provide an overview on the latest research and evidence on best practices to prevent suicides in teens and highlight an effort to use CDR findings to build widespread support for suicide prevention efforts.

This workshop will improve participants’ knowledge and skills in:

• Finding and using data to understand the scope of attempts and successful completions of suicides among adolescents.
• Understanding the risk and protective factors involved in teen suicides.
• Understanding the Garret Lee Smith Act.
• Using research on evidence based strategies to identify appropriate local and state prevention programs.
• Using child death review, other data and resources to build momentum for suicide prevention efforts.