Child Abuse Death Review

The Florida Department of Health, Division of Children’s Medical Services, Bureau of Child Protection and Special Technologies, CADR Unit, administers the Child Abuse Death Review (CADR) system, which utilizes local CADR committees to conduct comprehensive evaluations of the circumstances surrounding child fatalities reported to DCF’s Florida Abuse Hotline and accepted for investigation. These committees employ a public health approach to meticulously examine child fatality cases with reported suspicions of abuse or neglect. Subsequently, the State CADR Committee aggregates and analyzes data from these local reviews to produce an annual statistical report. The CADR System operates under the statute of Section 383.402, F.S.

State CADR Committee

The State CADR Committee oversees the activities of local committees and engages in a comprehensive analysis of statewide data. This analysis informs evaluations of the adequacy of existing laws, rules, training programs, and services. Recommendations for necessary changes are developed to reduce the incidence of child abuse-related deaths. Strategies are devised, and partnerships are forged at both the state and local levels to implement these changes.

The State CADR Committee comprises seven agency-specific representatives appointed by the respective agency heads and 12 representatives appointed by the Department’s State Surgeon General. These 12 members represent various disciplines dedicated to the well-being of children and families. Members of the State CADR Committee, as outlined in Appendix B, serve staggered two-year terms. Reappointment is permitted, but members may not exceed three consecutive terms. The committee selects a chairperson from among its members to serve a two-year term. The agencies responsible for appointing members to the State CADR Committee are:

• Florida Department of Health
• Florida Department of Legal Affairs
• Florida Department of Children and Families
• Florida Department of Law Enforcement
• Florida Department of Education
• Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association, Inc.
• Florida Medical Examiners Commission, with the requirement that the representative be a forensic pathologist

In addition to the above members, the State Surgeon General appoints the following individuals based on recommendations from the Department and the agencies listed above, ensuring diverse representation:

• The Department’s Statewide Child Protection Team Medical Director
• A public health nurse
• A mental health professional specializing in children or adolescents
• A DCF employee responsible for supervising family services counselors, with at least five years of experience in child protective investigations
• A medical director of a child protection team
• A member of a child advocacy organization
• A social worker experienced in working with child abuse victims and perpetrators
• A paraprofessional trained in patient resources employed in a child abuse prevention program
• A law enforcement officer with a minimum of five years of experience in children's issues
• A representative from a Florida Domestic Violence organization
• A representative from a private provider of programs addressing child abuse and neglect prevention
• A substance abuse treatment professional

Local CADR Committees

Local CADR committees are responsible for reviewing all closed cases involving alleged child abuse and neglect deaths reported to the DCF Florida Abuse Hotline, then present relevant information to the State CADR Committee. Comprising members from various community agencies within Florida's judicial circuits, local CADR committees share a common interest in promoting, safeguarding, and improving the well-being of children. Details about local CADR committee membership can also be found in Appendix B.

County Health Department Directors, designated as CADR Health Officers, appoint, convene, and support these committees. At a minimum, representatives from the following organizations are appointed by CADR Health Officers:

• The State Attorney’s Office
• The Medical Examiner’s Office
• The local DCF Child Protective Investigations Unit
• The Department’s Child Protection Team
• Community-based care lead agency
• State, county, or local law enforcement agencies
• School district
• A mental health treatment provider
• A certified domestic violence center
• A substance abuse treatment provider
• Any other members specified in guidelines developed by the State CADR Committee

Resources

• Florida Child Abuse Death Review System
• The Period of PURPLE Crying - Prevent Child Abuse FL
• WaterSmartFL