The three years of data on the Child Safety Profile depict a yearly increase in the numbers for child fatalities. It is believed that these increases are partly attributed to better investigation and identification of maltreatment and not necessarily to a higher rate of child fatalities in Georgia. CPS investigators are more likely to recognize various forms of negligence as being responsible for a fatality and to record data attributing the fatality to substantiated neglect or abuse.

The Commissioner's Task Force, formed in late 1999, was a result of several highly publicized child deaths in Georgia. The task force recognized that for the CPS program to be more responsive in the prevention of the serious injury and death of children in families with current or previous CPS history, it is necessary to maintain a stable and well-trained staff. The Governor's FY 2002 budget, which has been approved by the legislature, included the funding recommendations made by the task force. This will make it possible to begin making some major improvements in Georgia's CPS program.

There is greater availability of training opportunities for CPS staff. This includes Georgia's Basic Investigative Training Education (B.I.T.E.), specialized training for fatality investigations and child fatality team investigations. There is a greater awareness of circumstances involving parents and caretakers that contribute to the death of a child.

Resources for the support, development and provision of training have increased and include, in addition to state CPS staff, the state DFCS training unit, the Georgia Council on Child Abuse, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and Georgia State University. These additional partners for training design and delivery mean more and better training for the state's CPS staff for all phases of child protective services.

The recently established Special Investigations Unit, working within established state regions, is setting a standard for investigating child fatalities. Working closely with the counties, this becomes a work/training experience for county staff in how to work the case in collaboration with other team players and how to collect the available evidence.

Georgia is in the process of establishing a statewide telemedicine network that will have physicians, expert in the recognition of physical and sexual abuse, available at selected regional hospitals throughout the state. Some of these centers are already operational and available to CPS staff.

The department is collaborating with and funding a research project with the Emory School of Public Health to study those high risk factors in families that lead to serious child injury and fatality. Results of this research will be helpful in the development of future policy and training.