After the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth, and Families notified the Office of the Child Advocate of the near- deaths of two infants, the agency is reconvening a Child Fatality Review Panel. The panel will consist of OCA employees and other childcare experts.
The OCA is tasked with reviewing any deaths that happen under the DCYF’s watch.
Child Advocate Jennifer Griffith convened a review panel two weeks ago after four children under the DCYF’s supervision died. That panel released a scathing report citing missed opportunities on the part of the DCYF that could have prevented those deaths.
DCYF’s director Dr. Trista Piccola has said greater staffing and better systems are needed in the department.
The infants in question this time around are three and five months old.
The panel is expected to once again provide the DCYF with recommendations at the end of its review.
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Click here to hear an RIPR interview with Dr. Trista Piccola discussing the first Child Advocate report.
