The Review, Vol. 9, Issue 2(Apr.-June 2011)

April--June 2011 Quarterly Newsletter
Volume 9, Issue 2
"The Review" Division of Child Fatality Review
2009 and 2010 COTY Winners Honored at the Capitol
On March 28, the winners of the 2009 and 2010 CFR Coroner of the Year and Committee of the Year were recognized for their achievements by the Georgia State Senate. The 2009 CFR Coroner of the Year - Janice Brown of Wilcox County (Janice Brown was unable to attend,; her brother, Rex Bulloch, accepted her award on her behalf); the 2009 CFR Committee of the Year - Gwinnett County; the 2010 CFR Coroner of the Year - Bill Thrower of Muscogee County; and the 2010 CFR Committee of the Year - Fulton County.

2010 CFR Committee of the Year--Fulton County Heather Jett (Juvenile Court), Angela Wilson (Juvenile Court), Major Keith Meadows (Atlanta PD), Dr. Michele Staffenberg (Fulton Medical Examiner's Office), Lynne Meadows (Fulton County Schools), Michelle Beck (DA's Office), Mr. Paul L. Howard Jr., (District Attorney of Fulton County)

2009 CFR Committee of the Year--Gwinnett County Stan Hall (Victim Witness - DA's Office), Officer Christopher Raffinelli (Gwinnett PD), Sheena Twilley (Victim Witness - DA's Office), Candice Pittman (Victim Witness - DA's Office), Ted Bailey (Gwinnett Medical Examiner's Office)

Highlights of Fulton County's achievements: the committee partnered with GDOT and Fulton County Department of Transportation to provide statistical data and to assess road and traffic conditions at specific intersections with a high incidence of motor vehicular collisions. These efforts derived from the committee's increasing concerns regarding motor vehicle-related fatalities that were occurring within a specific area.

Highlights of Gwinnett County's achievements: in an effort to educate the community about safe sleep and

SIDS/SUID prevention, the committee was instrumental in mandating SIDS training for all Gwinnett Medical

Center nursing staff who work with new mothers. As a result of the hospital's mandatory SIDS training, several

other medical centers and hospitals have requested assistance in implementing similar training for their personnel.

Inside This Issue
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COTY Winners

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GA Infant Safe Sleep 2

2010 CFR Coroner of the Year--Bill Thrower of Muscogee County, with his family, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, Sen. Gloria Butler, and Program Manager, Malaika Shakir

School Health Centers 2

Legislation Update

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Prevention Loss -PCA 3

Upcoming Events

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Important Info

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Georgia Infant Safe Sleep Coalition
The Georgia Infant Safe Sleep Coalition (GISSC) had their first meeting of 2011 in February. The former Chair of the GISSC , Rachelle Carnesale, now serves as the Director of DFCS, and the new Chair, Arleymah Raheem, was introduced. Arleymah is the Prevention Specialist for the Office of the Child Advocate. The meeting was well attended, and there was a lot of discussion about several issues, including advocacy, data, and prevention. The next meeting was set for Friday, May 20, in Cherokee County. All are welcome to attend! Please contact our office for more information and directions. Highlights from the February 2011 meeting include:
The 2010 CFR Annual Report has some data on infant sleep-related deaths, and also presents Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) data to compare CFR data for maternal behaviors with those of the general population (estimated by the responses to the PRAMS survey). The new CFR reporting form has lots of new variables, but some data are missing for certain variables. Increasing training of certain agencies and individuals may help in gathering some of these missing pieces (first responders, childcare providers, DFCS caseworkers). Carol Ball will collect all ideas and suggestions for agencies that need training (for investigation and prevention) to create a "resource map" that we can use to identify strengths and gaps in statewide coverage.
Because parents may only spend a day or two in the hospital having a baby, training for OB/GYNs and pediatricians is also critical, so they can educate and support parents in the months before and after the child is born. They have a unique relationship with new parents, and can offer ongoing reminders as needed. Safe Sleep training materials and videos can be provided to medical offices, to be displayed to parents in waiting rooms. We will look into providing these educational resources to clinicians.
The messaging of safe sleep needs to be promoted in ad campaigns or with news networks. Some counties have contacted their local newspapers or news stations to share the data on safe sleep, and then a story was produced using that data. Several years ago, GPB ran a series on infant health, including prematurity and safe sleep. In March of 2010, Dr. Michael Goodstein, a member of the AAP SIDS Task Force and one of the Medical Advisors for Cribs for Kids, developed a petition that can be signed on line to promote safe-sleep images in advertising. Since we discussed in February the need to promote safe sleep through media, this petition for more awareness in media and entertainment could be helpful. We all know how powerful pictures can be in promoting certain messages. At the very least, some pictures in magazines and on TV imply that SIDS and safe sleep is not an important issue and that the AAP recommendations for back sleeping on a firm sleep surface are not important. To sign the petition, go to: (http://www.gopetition.com/petition/34897.html).
Planning Grants for School Health Centers
The Urban Health Program in the department of pediatrics at Emory University School of Medicine recently announced funding for 11 planning grants throughout Georgia, to stimulate development, collaboration, and community discussion to expand the number of school-based health centers. The grants are funded by a $3 million gift from the Zeist Foundation aimed to help improve outcomes for at-risk children in metro Atlanta and throughout the state over the next five years.
There are 2,000 school-based health clinics in the nation. School-based health centers are located in schools or on school grounds, and they employ a multidisciplinary team of providers to care for children. They also provide clinical services through a qualified health provider such as a hospital, health department, or medical practices. Florida has 245, California has 160, Louisiana has 64, Mississippi has 31, and Georgia has only two in the entire state.
The 11 grantees represent collaborative partnerships between local school boards, the PTA, local Georgia Family Connection organizations, private and public health insurers, local business and industry leaders, local governments, local hospitals, and juvenile court systems. Awardees include: Chatham-Savannah Youth Futures Authority, Newton County Community Partnership, Richmond County School System, and Turner County BOE.
The Urban Health Program will award five to seven additional planning grants in the amount of $10,000-$15,000 for each of the next three years. Successful proposals will demonstrate how grant recipients will bring potential partners together in meetings, focus groups, and planning teams to develop strategies to improve the health of school students, their siblings, and the surrounding community through the development of comprehensive schoolbased health services.
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2011 Legislative Updates from the Georgia Capitol
CFR staff follow a number of legislative bills each year to keep track of important issues in our work. Here is a small sampling of bills that have been filed in the Georgia General Assembly for 2011:

HB 214 seeks to create a new agency - "Department of Public Health" - separate from the Department of Community Health. The bill will reassign functions of the current Division of Public Health to the new Department of Public Health, create a Board of Public Health, and a Commissioner for the new agency. HB 214 had passed both chambers of the Legislature by March 31. It goes now to the Governor for signature.
HB 279 and its companion bill, SB 88, seek to increase the age of children using booster seats in motor vehicles, from six to eight. Children are exempted if they weigh at least 40 pounds or stand 4 feet 9 inches or taller, or they have a written statement from a doctor for a medical condition. SB 88 had passed both chambers of the Legislature by March 31. It goes now to the Governor for signature.
HB 23, the Foster Children's Psychotropic Medication Monitoring Act, did not make the "Crossover Day" deadline to advance to the state Senate, but Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver (D-Decatur) has confirmed that Casey Family Programs has stepped in to help assess the problem that the measure sought to address. According to the Juvenile Justice Information Exchange (www.jjie.org), the Seattle-based national foundation is funding a review of prescription patterns of psychotropic drugs for children in Georgia's foster care system. The effort comes on the heels of a state Supreme Court report that found many children in state custody for extended periods are prescribed psychotropic drugs at "alarmingly high rates."

We will continue to keep you informed of any legislation that is introduced and its progress at the state Capitol. If there is any legislation that is a priority to you and your office, please let us know. The CFR Panel members are often actively involved in advocating for certain bills that promote the health and safety of children. We are all in this effort together!

County Prevention Update--Loss of PCA Georgia
Prevent Child Abuse Georgia has posted this update on their website in March 2011:

"Prevent Child Abuse Georgia regrets that due to the economy and circumstances beyond our control, we are no longer able to continue our operations. We are thankful for the many partners and stakeholders who have supported us over the years in helping to prevent child abuse and neglect in all forms. Our Helpline 1-800 CHILDREN will be temporarily out of service. Please call United Way 211 until we have arranged for another organization to take it on. If you have specific questions, please call 404-870-6565. We apologize in advance for our limited ability to handle calls."

Together Everyone Achieves More

Prevent Child Abuse (PCA) Georgia was an independent, statewide, non-profit organization. Established in 1984, PCA Georgia was the state's only non-profit agency that focused exclusively on the prevention of all forms of child abuse and neglect. This included raising awareness and providing leadership for the prevention of the most secretive type of abuse--child sexual abuse. PCA Georgia helped all Georgia's citizens to find the information and assistance that they needed to take action in their everyday lives that would create safer environments for their children and the children in their communities.

Please submit your stories of success or other ideas by June 15, 2011 to: OCAChild Fatality Review 270 Washington St.; Suite 8101 Atlanta 30334 Phone: 404-656-4200 or Fax: 404-656-5200 or Email to: ocacfr@oca.ga.gov

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Upcoming Events

April 4-10, 2011: National Public Health Week-- "Safety May 3, 2011: National Children's Mental Health

is No Accident: Live Injury-Free". We can all make a differ- Awareness Day Join SAMHSA, communities, organiza-

ence if we work as a unified voice speaking on behalf of this tions, agencies, and individuals nationwide in raising

important public health issue. Each year, nearly 150,000 awareness that positive mental health is essential to a

people die from injuries, and almost 30 million people are child's healthy development from birth. This year, the na-

injured seriously enough to go to the emergency room.

tional theme will focus on building resilience in young

Many of these injuries can be prevented by taking simple children dealing with trauma [ http://www.samhsa.gov/

steps to protect ourselves, our families and our communities. children/national.aspx ]

May 2-3, 2011: Northwest Georgia Child Abuse Conference at the Colonnade Center in Catoosa County. This educational conference is free for all child abuse professionals. POST credits, CEUs, and CLEs are available

June 15-18, 2011: Georgia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics will hold their "Pediatrics by the Sea Summer Conference" at the Ritz-Carlton in Amelia Island, FL.

May 2-7 and September 12-16: Finding Words Georgia: August 9-11, 2011: Fifth Annual National Conference each week long course (40 hours) is held at GPSTC in For- on Health Communication, Marketing, and Media in syth. Registrations can be found at www.oca.georgia.gov. Atlanta, GA. Learn More at www.cdc.gov/NCHCMM

Important Information for YOU
OCA/CFR staff are now located in new office space at 270 Washington Street, Suite 8101, Atlanta 30334. Our phone number is 404-656-4200 and our fax number is 404-656-5200. Our email address is ocacfr@oca.ga.gov.

The CFR Annual Report detailing 2009 reviewed deaths is now complete and available for distribution. Please contact CFR staff if you would like a copy. The CFR Multi-Year Trend Report will be available September 2011.

The Department of Defense Family Advocacy Program is launching the Putting Baby Safely to Sleep campaign, to ensure that military families have important, life-saving information. The campaign is anchored by a blog for new and expectant parents. "Sleep Like a Baby: The Keys to Infant Slumber!" will feature blog posts from a variety of subject matter experts who will educate through story and example while providing links to reliable, professionally vetted information.
Countdown2Drive is a new passenger safety program for teens. Safe Kids USA, together with the General Motors Foundation, is launching Countdown2Drive, an easy web-based program designed to help parents discuss and reinforce key safety habits with teens that can protect them while riding with other drivers. The program also helps users customize a set of guidelines around passenger safety with teens, and negotiate a Passenger Agreement that contains rules, rewards, and consequences that work for every unique family.
Troup County Schools, the Adolescent Health Youth Development program of the Troup County health department, Troup County Sheriff's Office, West Georgia Health, and others are partnering to bring the Teen Maze to the 1,050 ninth-graders in the county's public and private schools. Teen Maze is a role-playing experience that allows teenagers to draw their fate out of a hat, then experience the consequences of the fate dealt to them in a life-size maze, whether it is a pregnancy or death from driving while texting. The goal is to help students think about the consequences of their decisions, and to affect teen behavior in a positive way. Donors and volunteers are needed.
Find out how Georgia's Child Fatality Review program compares to the programs in other states. View the "Status of CDR in the U.S." report at www.childdeathreview.org/state.

OCA--Division of Child Fatality Review 270 Washington Street, Suite 8101 Atlanta, Georgia 30334
Website: www.gacfr.oca.georgia.gov