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Craven County child-protection teams cite declines in reports, push safe-sleep and life-jacket projects
Summary
Presenters said Craven County saw fewer child-welfare reports in 2024 than in prior years, outlined partner referrals for mental-health and substance-use services, and announced approval to install life-jacket stations at boat ramps starting locally and in Jones County.
Jenny Cook, co‑chair of the Community Child Protection Team and the Community Fatality Prevention Team, told the Craven County Board of Commissioners the groups are working to identify service gaps and link families to community resources.
Cook said the Craven County Department of Social Services received 1,292 reports related to child welfare in 2024, of which 845 were screened in. "There was 55 regarding substance affected infants," Cook said, and she noted committee members consider substance‑affected infant cases to be high risk and require at least weekly contact and management involvement in safety planning.
The teams reported modest declines in reporting: Cook said 2023–2024 saw about a 4% decrease in reports received and that, from 2021 to 2024, certain…
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