Clark County's Child Death Review Team, Part 1
Friday, March 27th, 2015 -- 11:20 AM
-Clark County is working together to prevent child injuries and deaths.Did you know injury is the leading cause of death for Wisconsin residents ages 1 to 44? Each year more than 150 Wisconsin children die from an injury. Children's Health Alliance of Wisconsin leads the Keeping Kids Alive in Wisconsin program and that program is comprised of Child Death Review teams in each county or region.
Brittany Mews, an RN with the Clark County Health Department, and Detective Kerry Kirn, with the Clark County Sheriff's Department are a part of Clark County Child Death Review Team and they explained the CDR Team in better detail.
Kerry: "Child Death Review actually started as a result of child abuse cases back in the mid-70's and it kind of grew from there from just focusing on actual child abuse and infant deaths to all child deaths. And that's kind of where we're at today, especially here in Wisconsin. Most agencies will review all child deaths."
They also explained the when, how and who regarding Clark County's CDR team.
Kerry: "We started a team in 2008. There was a group of us from the Sheriff's Office and Department of Social Services, at that time that, had gone to a training on how to set up a Child Death Review Team. In December of 2008, we had our first child death review."
Brittany: "The Clark County Child Death Review Team core members include the Sheriff's Department, Health Department, Social Services, Corporation Counsel, District Attorney, Coroner, Community Services and St. Joesph's Hospital."
To find out more information about the Clark County Child Death Review Team and prevention efforts you can contact Brittany Mews or Kerry Kirn.
Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.