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Policy Manual

CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATIONS
Special Review Unit

34-25-4
Responsibilities of the Regional Administrator

Action by Regional Administrator in Child Death Case Upon notice of a child’s death in those cases defined in 34-25-2, the Regional Administrator, or designee, shall take the actions listed in the table below.

 

Time Activity
Immediately upon notice
  • Secure the case record.
  • If the child was residing in an out-of-home setting, ensure notification to any other Regional Administrator(s) who has a child in that setting.
  • If the child was with a licensed day care provider at the time of death, ensure that the Department of Public Health  is notified.
On the same day as receipt of notice
  • If not previously submitted by the Hotline, complete the Critical Incident Summary/Update Form (DCF-823) and fax to the Special Review Unit.
  • Telephone the special Review Unit.
  • Contact all staff actively assigned to the child and/or family to

-  determine the safety of any other children in the setting

-  determine the level of supports needed

-  coordinate service delivery to the child’s family and/or foster family

-  coordinate the DCF investigation with law enforcement

-  discuss permission for autopsy and organ donation decisions and funeral and burial arrangements

-  provide support to staff during the crisis of the child fatality.

Those contacted shall include, but not be limited to, the following persons:

  • Program Supervisor
  • Social Work Supervisor and Social Worker
  • investigator and his/her supervisor, when applicable
  • FASU support worker and supervisor, if the child was in foster care
  • the Assistant Attorney General.

Note: As needed, the Regional Administrator may convene a follow-up meeting of the above staff.
Within two (2) days of notice
  • Transmit a copy of the case record, including supervisory notes, to the Special Review Unit.
  • If the record is incomplete, ensure that steps are taken to complete any missing forms, reports or dictation and forward this material to the SRU.
  • If any personnel action is indicated, inform the Director of Human Resources and Bureau Chief for Child Welfare Services.
   
   
After-Hours Report If the death of a child occurs after-hours, the Hotline administrator shall immediately
  • telephone the

-  Bureau Chief for Child Welfare Services, or designee
-  Regional Administrator
-  facility Superintendent, or designee

and

  • complete and fax the Critical Incident Summary / Update Report (DCF-823) to them.

Cross References:

"Death of a Child", 33-7-5
"Critical Incidents", 31-8-3

Connecticut Department of Children and Families                            Effective Date: November 1, 2000 (Revised)