1.2.4 Non-CA/N Related Child Fatality Referrals
These are taken as "F” referrals.
Pursuant to SB 757, all Non-CA/N related child fatalities are to be reported to CANHU by medical examiners or coroners. This information will be forwarded to STAT. The local county in which the fatality occurs will receive a courtesy copy of the “F” Referral. County staff members are not required to update the CA/N Automated System regarding these referrals, and typically will not need to take any action. The exception being that staff are required to Notify the Director via CS-23 and summary of all fatalities in which the family has had past or present involvement with the Children’s Division (except for reports of death due to premature birth only) as outlined in Section 2, Chapter 4.3.8.1, Fatality/Critical Events Reporting and Review Protocol.
Staff may choose to respond to the referral in special circumstances, but only after consultation with the Supervisor.
An example of a reason why staff might contact the family, would be to provide a referral for grief counseling following a tragic unexpected death in a community where the family would not have otherwise had contact with a helping professional, such as a hospital social worker, who may have already referred the family to such services.
With the passage of SB 757, Child Fatality Review Panels review all deaths of children under the age of eighteen years. “In addition, the panel may review at its own discretion any child death reported to it by the Medical Examiner or Coroner, even if it does not meet criteria for review as set forth by The Department (RSMo 210.192.3).”
STAT is mandated to gather data from local Child Fatality Review Panels, then submit an annual report of its findings and recommendations. The “F” referral was originally developed to assist STAT in the receiving of Non-CA/N related child fatalities in a timely manner.
Additionally, the Children’s Division will utilize the F-referral, and information provided by field staff for identifying trends across the State. A trends analysis will be completed annually in an effort to identify issues of need and to improve our policies, practice efforts, training, and/or internal communications, as well as collaboration with other agencies.