Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 02-21-2023; 12-2 - Information Item - Memorandum - Annual Report of the Community Child Protection Team (CCPT) ORANGE COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA SOCIAL.SERVICES Nancy Coston, Director 1 113 Mayo Street, Hillsborough, NC 27278 1 919.245.2800 MEMORANDUM TO: Board of County Commissioners FROM: Nancy Coston, Director Brittany Mann, Social Work Program Manager DATE: February 21, 2023 SUBJECT: Annual Report of the Community Child Protection Team (CCPT) Per North Carolina General Statute 7B-1406, each local Community Child Protection Team should submit an annual report to the Board of County Commissioners. This report outlines the activity of the team for 2022. The 2022 Orange County CCPT report is attached. Orange County Government I www.orangecountync.gov 1 919.732.8181 2 Orange County Community Child Protection Team 2022 Annual Report Overview 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, among others that provide services to children and their families. The case reviews are to ensure that families have resources available to them, to enhance their ability to provide safe environments for their children, 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 and Findings The CCPT reviewed the cases of nine families with 18 children who were recently or actively involved with Child Protective Services (CPS). These reviews occurred over five separate meetings. The team assisted in identifying resources for children. Recommendations were made regarding follow up. a. Substance abuse was an issue for five families. b. Domestic violence was an issue for two families. c. Three families involved near fatalities. d. One family involved a child fatality. Actions and Accomplishments • Met five times in 2022 to review child protection and child fatality cases. In depth discussion with identification of needs and subsequent recommendations occurred. • Participated in training opportunities related impaired sleep as well as toxicology findings in pediatric deaths. • Researched and discussed material provided to children in school settings related to child abuse, neglect, and social-emotional health. Recommendations 1. Increase education to school-aged children related to child abuse and neglect, as well as social-emotional health. 2. Increase education with families and parents surrounding the safe storage of medications, firearms, and other legal or illegal substances (edibles). 3. Increase parent's access to healthcare and insurance in order to access services to address their needs in order to prevent further maltreatment.