In 1995, Texas enacted legislation establishing the State Child Fatality Review Team Committee (CFRTC or Committee) and authorizing counties to form local and regional Child Fatality Review Teams (CFRT). Senate Bill 6, 79th Legislative Session, amended sections of the applicable code, Family Code 264, Subchapter F (§264.501 - §264.515); most notably moving support and coordination of the State Committee and CFRTs from the Department of Family and Protective Services to the Department of State Health Services.
State Child Fatality Review Team Committee
The State Committee is a multidisciplinary group comprised of members throughout Texas. Its mission is to reduce the number of preventable child deaths and its purpose is threefold:
- To develop an understanding of the causes and incidence of child deaths in Texas;
- To identify procedures within the agencies represented on the Committee to reduce the number of preventable child deaths; and
- To promote public awareness and make recommendations to the governor and the legislature for changes in law, policy, and practice to reduce the number of preventable child deaths.
Child Fatality Review Teams
CFRTs are multidisciplinary, multiagency working groups that review child deaths on a local level from a public health perspective. By reviewing circumstances surrounding child deaths, teams identify prevention strategies that will decrease the incidence of preventable child deaths by:
- Providing assistance, direction, and coordination to investigations of child deaths;
- Promoting cooperation, communication, and coordination among agencies involved in responding to child fatalities;
- Developing an understanding of the causes and incidence of child deaths in the county or counties in which the team is located;
- Recommending changes to agencies, through the agency's representative member, that will reduce the number of preventable child deaths; and
- Advising the State Committee on changes to law, policy, or practice that will assist the team and the agencies represented on the team in fulfilling their duties.
Texas CFRTs vary in size and the number of counties for which they review child deaths. Several teams each review deaths for one county while others review deaths for two or more. The largest number of counties a single Texas team covers is 26.
Texas seeks to have Child Fatality Review Teams in all parts of the Texas Map.
State Child Fatality Review Team Committee Position Statements
SCFRT Addressing Preventable Child Abuse and Neglect Position Statement
(152 Kb, PDF, Viewing Information)
SCFRT Substance Abuse Dependence Position Statement
(49 Kb, PDF, Viewing Information)
SCFRT Fire Burn Position Statement
(288 Kb, PDF, Viewing Information)
SCFRT Child Suicide Position Statement
(50 Kb, PDF, Viewing Information)
SCFRT Water Safety Position Statement
(274 Kb, PDF, Viewing Information)
SCFRT Motor Vehicle Safety Position Statement
(163 Kb, PDF, Viewing Information)
SCFRT Safe Sleep Position Statement
(36 Kb, PDF, Viewing Information)
News Letters
Summer 2007 News Letter
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Spring 2009 News Letter
(504 Kb, PDF, Viewing Information)
Reports, Protocols, and Guidelines
Texas Child Fatality Review Team Annual Report 2012
(1171 Kb, PDF, Viewing Information)
Texas Child Fatality Review Team Annual Report 2011
(1794 Kb, PDF, Viewing Information)
Texas Child Fatality Review Team Annual Report 2010
(2526 Kb, PDF, Viewing Information)
Texas Child Fatality Review Team Annual Report 2009
(2069 Kb, PDF, Viewing Information)
Texas Child Fatality Review Team Annual Report 2008
(8954 Kb, PDF, Viewing Information)
Texas Child Fatality Review Team Annual Report 2007
(2589 Kb, PDF, Viewing Information)
Texas Child Fatality Review Team Annual Report 2006
(2589 Kb, PDF, Viewing Information)
Texas Child Fatality Review Team Biennial Report, 2002- 2003
(440 Kb, PDF, Viewing Information)
Texas Child Fatality Review Team Biennial Report, 2000- 2001
(94 Kb, PDF, Viewing Information)
Child Fatality Review Team Operating Procedures
(875Kb, PDF, Viewing Information)
Sudden Unexplained Infant Death Investigation Reporting Form
(186Kb, PDF, Viewing Information)
How to Use the SUIDI Reporting Form
(278Kb, PDF, Viewing Information)
Helpful Websites
National MCH Center for Child Death Review
ICAN National Center on Child Fatality Review
CDC - Sudden, Unexplained Infant Death (SUID) and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) (Includes Sudden Unexpected Infant Death Investigations (SUIDI), the SUIDI data collection form and SUIDI training materials.)
National Clearinghouse of Child Abuse and Neglect
Department of Family and Protective Services, Keeping Children Safe
Shaken Baby Alliance
SIDS Network
Texas Child Fatality Review Team Websites
Collin County
Houston/Harris County
Tarrant County
Travis County
For more information on Texas Child Fatality Review contact:
Susan Rodriguez
Child Fatality Review Coordinator
Texas Department of State Health Services
1100 W. 49th Street M355
Austin, TX 78756
512.458.7111 ext 2311