Despite years of practice and enhanced data collection methods we still find ourselves grappling with the same causes of and issues surrounding child deaths in Cuyahoga County and reiterating recommendations made in the past.
None of these recommendations fix broken hearts or put families back together, but are developed to give systems a more specific blueprint for building life saving actions into daily operations. Information is organized by age group to better facilitate incorporation into agency strategic planning.
Infant: Birth to 1 Year
By recognizing that there is a complex and interdependent relationship between the psychosocial, environmental, economic, and medical factors that impact women’s health throughout their lifetime, these underlying factors jeopardizing the health, well being, and reproductive outcomes of women can then be addressed.
Demonstrate the ways in which your agency applies comprehensive service coordination practices to ensure the “no wrong door” philosophy is working within your system. Successful implementation will address many of the issues known to affect pregnancy outcomes such as:
- poverty
- substance abuse
- domestic violence
- prematurity
- low birthweight
- lack of education
- barriers to care
- preconceptual and interconceptual care
Develop new or utilize existing tools that will increase your service population’s awareness of child safety basics and the importance of adequate and appropriate child supervision. Safety measures specific to infancy include:
- correct use of infant car restraints
- water safety (e.g. bathtubs, buckets and other water collection containers)
- elimination of general household hazards such as chemicals/poisons, unprotected electrical outlets, inappropriate use of electrical extension cords, small objects, plastic bags, etc.
- selection of appropriate care providers
- constant and close supervision
- education for parents about when to call the pediatrician
- appropriate supervision of teen parents
Use the educational materials developed by the Child Fatality Review Committee to educate parents and caregivers on the importance of safe infant sleep practices (available by calling 216-698-2521, Cuyahoga County Health and Human Services).
- Community outreach that incorporates the safe sleep message
Increase your service population’s awareness of and access to mental health and substance abuse programs and services for pregnant women by providing accurate staff training on:
- domestic violence
- perinatal and post-partum depression
- drug/alcohol addiction
Early Childhood 1 to 5 years
Develop new or utilize existing tools that will increase your service population’s awareness of child safety basics and the importance of adequate and appropriate child supervision. Safety measures specific to early childhood include:
- pedestrian/bicycle safety
- water safety
- safety in the home
- careful screening and selection of child care providers
- “stranger danger”
- appropriate use of child car restraints and booster seats
- gun safety, including safe storage
- constant and close supervision, especially in situations where distractions are present such as extended family gatherings, group picnics, swimming at a beach, etc.
Distribute and post general fire safety materials and educate clients on the availability of free smoke detectors. Encourage clients to develop and practice a family fire escape plan.
School Age 6 to 12 years
Develop tools that will increase your service population’s awareness of child safety basics and the importance of adequate and appropriate child supervision. Safety measures specific to school age include:
- pedestrian/bicycle/sports safety
- appropriate use of car restraints
- water safety—in lakes and in pools (encourage swimming lessons)
- gun safety and gun access, including safe storage
- substance abuse education
- setting and enforcing appropriate limits
- careful screening and selection of child care providers
- general safety in the home
- appropriate storage of medications
- education for adults about the choking game
Expand the Cuyahoga County Suicide Prevention Plan to encompass mental health issues in children aged 9 to18.
Institute a team meeting strategy in which all involved systems are collaborating in case planning when existing services are not meeting the child’s and/or family’s needs.
Adolescence 13 to 17 Years
Develop new or utilize existing tools that will increase your service population’s awareness of child safety basics and the importance of adequate and appropriate supervision. Safety measures specific to adolescence include:
- car/driver safety and appropriate use of restraints
- peer group safety
- education on making positive choices
- setting and enforcing appropriate limits
- substance abuse education
- pregnancy prevention and safe sex practices
- education on healthy relationships
- signs and symptoms of depression or suicide ideation
- conflict resolution programs
- internet safety education
- gun access and gun safety
All agencies must develop a plan to identify high-risk cases by considering:
- risk factors
- number of previous interventions
- failed outcomes
The plan must address mechanisms by which complex cases are prioritized to receive more intense interventions, including the “team meeting” strategy described in the recommendations for school-age children and wrap around services.
Throughout the year specific recommendations are made as each case is reviewed. In 2008 the five most frequently made recommendations include:
- Community education concerning safe infant sleep practices
- Mental health and drug treatment programs for pregnant and parenting women
- Community education for teens regarding the importance of always using a seatbelt as a driver and a passenger
- Community education about the importance of adequate and appropriate adult supervision of infants and young children
- Community education regarding the selection of appropriate caregivers for children