Protocol

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The Team systematically analyzes deaths among Virginia's children who are less than 18 years of age that fall into the following classes:

• Violent and unnatural child deaths
• Sudden deaths occurring in the first 18 months of life
• Fatalities where cause or manner was not determined

The Team develops and revises, as necessary, operating procedures for the review of child deaths by:

• Identifying cases to be reviewed and procedures for coordination between agencies and professionals
• Improving the identification, data collection and record keeping of the causes of child death
• Recommending components for prevention and education programs
• Recommending improvements to child death investigation
• Providing technical assistance to local child fatality review teams

The Team's review of a child death is conducted after investigation and prosecution are concluded. A child's records may be obtained from a health care provider, school, law enforcement, social services, or courts. All information obtained is protected by confidentiality. Neither the records nor information are discoverable. Team members and attendees execute a sworn statement to honor confidentiality. To ensure confidentiality, meetings discussing individual cases are closed and, at the conclusion of review, records are destroyed.

Information that is gathered through records and Team meetings may be disclosed in summary form. After review, the Team develops recommendations and summary data that do not identify individual children. Data are provided to the Governor and the General Assembly. The Team's review data and recommendations are distributed in published reports, which are available to the public.

For more information, contact:
Emily Womble, MPA
Child Fatality Review Coordinator
Phone: (804) 205-3854