N.J. Admin. Code § 3A:4-2.1

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 23, December 2, 2024

Section 3A:4-2.1 - Purpose of the Board

(a) CCAPTA states the several part purpose of the Board as follows:

1. The Board shall review fatalities and near fatalities of children in New Jersey in order to:

i. Identify their causes, their relationship to governmental support systems, as determined relevant by the Board, and methods of prevention;

ii. Describe trends and patterns of child fatalities and near fatalities in New Jersey;

iii. Identify risk factors and their prevalence in child fatalities and near fatalities;

iv. Evaluate the response of the government support system to children in families who are considered to be at high risk and to offer recommendations for improvement in those responses;

v. Identify high risk groups relative to child abuse and neglect, or fatality, in terms that are compatible with the development of public policy;

vi. Improve the sources of data collection by developing protocols for autopsies, death investigations, and the complete recording of cause of death on the death certificate;

vii. Provide case consultation to individuals or agencies represented by the Board; and

viii. Make recommendations for system-wide improvements in services to prevent fatalities and near fatalities among children;

2. The Board shall identify the fatalities of children due to unusual circumstances when:

i. The cause of death is undetermined;

ii. Substance abuse may have been a contributing factor;

iii. Homicide is the result of child abuse or neglect;

iv. Child abuse or neglect may have been a contributing factor;

v. There is malnutrition, dehydration, or medical neglect or failure to thrive;

vi. There is sexual abuse;

vii. There is head trauma, fractures or blunt force trauma without obvious innocent reason, such as auto accidents;

viii. There is suffocation or asphyxia;

ix. There are burns without obvious innocent reason such as auto accident or house fire;

x. There is a suicide;

xi. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is suspected; and

xii. Sudden Unexplained Death Syndrome (SUDS) is suspected; and

3. The Board shall also identify a fatality or near fatality of any child whose family, currently, or within the last 12 months, was receiving services from the Division.

N.J. Admin. Code § 3A:4-2.1

Administrative Change, 49 N.J.R. 98a.