January 2021
The Child Fatality Task Force (CFTF) is a legislative study commission that examines the causes of child death and makes recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly on how to reduce child death, prevent abuse and neglect, and support the safety and well-being of children. The CFTF was created in 1991 by state statute as part of the broader statewide Child Fatality Prevention System. Since 1991, the child death rate has decreased by 49%.
CFTF recommendations are formulated through data, research, and expert presentations at committee meetings, including the Perinatal Health Committee, Unintentional Death Committee, and Intentional Death Prevention Committee. These recommendations are included in an annual report to the Governor and General Assembly, and also become part of the CFTF’s annual “Action Agenda.” The CFTF released it’s 2021 Action Agenda earlier this month, which acts as the annual blue print of items it seeks to advance or endorse in order to support child safety and well-being.
The 2021 Action Agenda includes: recommendations to strengthen the statewide Child Fatality Prevention System to increase the system’s ability to prevent child abuse, neglect, and death; recommendations to prevent youth suicide and firearm-related deaths and injuries to children; recommendations to prevent infant deaths; recommendations on workplace supports to strengthen child and family health, well-being, and economic stability; recommendations to strengthen education and awareness around child abuse and neglect reporting; recommendations and administrative efforts to prevent motor vehicle-related injuries and deaths to children; and, a recommendation to prevent harm to youth caused by tobacco and nicotine use. The full list of specific legislative and administrative recommendations on the action agenda can be found here.