Alamance County votes to keep child protection and child‑fatality review as a single county team

Alamance County commissioners unanimously chose to retain a single‑county model for locally organized community child protection and child‑fatality review teams after hearing a staff recommendation and legal overview.

Tony LoTidice, Alamance County health director, summarized the recent state session law changes (identified in his presentation as Session Law 2023‑134) that consolidate the Community Child Protection Team (CCPT) and the Child Fatality Prevention Team (CFPT) into a single local team and shifted selection authority for five community members from the county board to the teams' co‑chairs. State law requires county commissioners to decide whether their county will operate a single‑county team or join a multi‑county team by Jan. 1, 2025.

LoTidice outlined benefits of a multi‑county approach—shared resources and potential quality improvements in cross‑county case reviews—and cautioned about substantial administrative and logistical challenges including leadership, scheduling and funding allocation. He and county staff recommended a single‑county team, citing an established local team, stronger local partnerships and practicality for local system change. Commissioners asked about funding, meeting frequency and opportunities to participate in statewide task forces; LoTidice said the health department receives a modest annual addendum (about $1,400–$2,400) to cover administrative support and that teams meet a minimum of two times per year, frequently more.

Following discussion, the board voted unanimously to proceed with a single‑county team. LoTidice said staff will continue collaborating with neighboring counties and request records when cross‑county reviews are needed.