April 16, 2012 - Cabarrus County

eceives medical examiner reports, death certificates and other records from theprevious years’ deaths of county residents under age 18. Information is sent tocommittee members beforehand, and they in turn review records within theirrespective agencies. The task force then reviews findings to determine trends, targetprevention strategies, identify family and community needs, and supportcommunity agencies in their services to children and families. Additionally, the taskforce may make and carry out recommendations for changes that may preventfuture child deaths, while also promoting understanding of the causes of some childdeaths.A breakdown of causes of death revealed from reviews over the last year is asfollows:Birth Defects – 3Perinatal Condition (prematurity) – 8Illness – 2Accidents – 1SIDS – 2Suicide – 1Homicide - 1As is typical of years past, the greatest number of child deaths fall into thecategories of birth defects and prematurity, which is indicative of both the both thestate and national trends.The Role of the County CommissionThe CCPT and CFTF thank you for your role in providing the fiscal means to theCabarrus County Department of Social Services to serve the families of CabarrusCounty. It is your funding of these necessary social services that include childprotection, in-home intensive services, foster care, and adoption that we applaud.We also applaud the funding of supporting services like schools, parks, recreation,health, and transportation that are so directly related to the well-being of ourfamilies. We ask your continued fiscal attentiveness to the needs of the agencies thatserve and support the families of Cabarrus County.Our two teams are committed to the mandate we have been given to help protectchildren from neglect and abuse and to be their most vocal advocate.Other ConsiderationsThe Cabarrus County Child Welfare Services Division’s mission statement is thefollowing:“It is the mission of the Child Welfare Division to commit to provide family-centeredservices to children and families to achieve well-being through ensuring self-sufficiency,support, safety, and permanence.”Attachment number 1I-1Page 240