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Martin County child‑safety teams report 2019 trends; DSS notes substance abuse and housing as factors
Summary
The Child Fatality Prevention Team and Community Child Protection Team presented annual reports: CFPT reviewed one fatality (extreme prematurity) and CCPT reported 261 CPS reports in 2019 with 190 screened in and 33 children in foster care as of December; teams identified substance abuse, mental health and unstable housing among contributing factors.
Health-department and Department of Social Services officials presented annual reports to the Martin County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 12, detailing child-fatality reviews, protective‑service referrals and community outreach.
Vickey Manning of the MTW District Health Department summarized the Child Fatality Prevention Team’s role and 2019 activity: the local CFPT met four times in 2019, reviewed one fatality in March (extreme prematurity with no systems issues identified), and delayed two other scheduled reviews due to delayed medical records. The CFPT and CCPT participated in community activities including the Blue Ribbon Campaign and a foster‑children Christmas event.
Nancy Conner, chair of the Community Child Protection Team and DSS Social Worker Supervisor, presented required CCPT findings for 2019 under G.S. 7B‑1406. Conner said Martin County DSS received 261 Child Protective Service reports in 2019, with 190 screened in and investigated; as of December 2019, 33 children remained in foster care. The CCPT reviewed eight active cases in 2019. Contributing local factors named during the presentation included mental‑health needs, substance abuse (including opioids) and domestic violence. Conner said a detox unit was needed locally but noted the high cost to open and operate such a facility.
Conner also summarized 2018 permanency outcomes (21 children achieved permanence through adoption, guardianship, foster permanence, reunification or relocation). The CCPT continues to make recommendations to address system gaps identified in case reviews.
What happens next: Teams will continue quarterly meetings, pursue prevention activities, and forward recommendations to the state coordinator where appropriate. The presentations serve as the county’s formal CCPT/CFPT annual reports.
