HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - Item 12-6 - Information Item - Memorandum - Annual Report of the Community Child Protection Team
SOCIAL SERVICES
Nancy Coston, Director | 113 Mayo Street, Hillsborough, NC 27278 | 919.245.2800
Orange County Government | www.orangecountync.gov | 919.732.8181
MEMORANDUM
TO: Board of County Commissioners
FROM: Nancy Coston, Director
Duston Lowell, Human Service Program Manager
DATE: June 7, 2018
SUBJECT: Annual Report of the Community Child Protection Team
Background:
The 1991 General Statute 7-B-Article 14 of the North Carolina Juvenile Code established a
Community Child Protection Team (CCPT) in every county in North Carolina to review active cases
as selected by the team in which abuse, neglect or dependency is found. Each local team consists of
representatives of public and nonpublic agencies in the community such as law enforcement,
Guardian Ad Litem, health departments and others that provide services to children and their families.
The local team is required to report recommendations to the Board of Commissioners annually.
The case reviews are to ensure that families have resources available to them and to enhance their
ability to provide safe environments for their children. The CCPT also exists to inform the community
regarding child protection issues that impact the ability of families to protect their children, to facilitate
collaboration of team and community resources in order to protect vulnerable children, and to make
recommendations for legislative changes.
Activities:
The CCPT reviewed the cases of 7 families with 17 children who were actively involved with Child
Protective Services (CPS). These reviews occurred during four separate meetings with team
members identifying resources for children. Findings and recommendations for these families:
a. Substance abuse was an issue for 5 families.
b. One child was born positive for opiates.
c. Mental health was an issue for 7 families.
d. Domestic violence was present in 3 families.
e. DSS had legal custody of the children in 3 of the cases at the time of the review.
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SOCIAL SERVICES
Nancy Coston, Director | 113 Mayo Street, Hillsborough, NC 27278 | 919.245.2800
Orange County Government | www.orangecountync.gov | 919.732.8181
The CCPT also reviewed a child fatality of a three year old child in the custody of OCDSS who was
living in a court approved placement. An intensive fatality review of this case will be conducted by
state and local team members in 2018.
System issues:
• Barriers to accessing supportive comprehensive mental health services.
• Challenges in maintaining substance abusers in treatment.
• Limited resources for the abusers in domestic violence cases.
Recommendations by CCPT:
• Work to improve access to mental health services.
• Enhance communication between community partners
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