title
Commissioner Philbeck - DHHS (Social Services Division) - To Dissolve the Current Combined Community Child Protection Team/Child Fatality Prevention Team (CCPT/CFPT) and Establish Each Team (CCPT and CFPT) as a Separate Committee in the County Appointment Records and Realign Team Duties in Accordance with NCGS §7B-1407
body
STAFF CONTACT
Chris Dobbins - DHHS Director - DHHS - Social Services - 704-862-7893
BUDGET IMPACT
budget
No Budget Impact
body
BUDGET ORDINANCE IMPACT
N/A
BACKGROUND
In 1996, the Gaston County Board of Commissioners established a combined Community Child Protection Team (CCPT)/Child Fatality Prevention Team (CFPT) as outlined in NCGS §7B-1406. The team is comprised of statutorily required representation from public and nonpublic agencies as specified in NCGS §7B-1407, including appointments by the Board of Commissioners.
At its Work Session of 11/10/2016, the Board of Commissioners directed the Director of DHHS to proceed with the establishment of two separate teams (CCPT and CFPT) and the respective realignment of duties and membership.
Approval of this Board Action, to be effective immediately, hereby dissolves the current combined team and authorizes the establishment of two separates teams with staggered 4-year terms, to be comprised of statutorily specified representation including up to six BOC appointments to CCPT and up to eight BOC appointments to CFPT (as specified below) and as advertised on the County website and Access Channel. The Clerk to the Board is further authorized to make the necessary revisions to the County appointment records.
The Community Child Protection Team (CCPT), comprised of community representatives, promotes a community-wide approach to reviewing and/or addressing problems/concerns associated with child abuse and neglect. Local teams identify and respond to gaps in prevention/protection response, maximizing the use of available resources. The CCPT's tasks include the review of active cases in which abuse, neglect, or dependency is found. Cases are selected from categories defined by the team, brought for review at the request of a team member, and/or brought for review at the initiative of the director of the department of social services. The CCPT shall meet as a full team quarterly; conduct specific case reviews monthly, and shall provide an annual report to the Board of County Commissioners, the Social Services Board, and the community about the status of families in the community. The CCPT shall consist of members as indicated in NCGS §7B-1407, including up to 6 members appointed by the Board of County Commissioners (five at large or County Agency Representatives and one Law Enforcement Officer).
A separate Child Fatality Prevention Team (CFPT), as established in accordance with NCGS §7B-1406(b), is comprised of community representatives and shall conduct reviews of additional child fatalities, report those findings to the Team Coordinator, including system problems identified through the review process, recommendations for preventive actions, and any changes made in connection recommendations. The CFPT shall meet as required, but no less than once per quarter and shall provide an annual report to the Board of County Commissioners. The CFPT shall consist of members as indicated in NCGS §7B-1407, including up to 8 members appointed by the Board of County Commissioners (five at large or County Agency Representatives; one Law Enforcement Officer; one EMS or Firefighter, and one bereaved parent).
POLICY IMPACT
N/A
ATTACHMENTS
CCPT and CFPT - Team Composition