This report from the Office of the County Executive discusses the Santa Clara County Child Death Review Team (CDRT) Report for 2021-2023. It outlines the CDRT's objectives, which include reviewing unexpected child deaths to improve children's lives and prevent future fatalities. The report highlights the incorporation of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) into reviews, findings from the CDRT Report, and ongoing efforts to address issues such as domestic violence, child exploitation, school truancy, and substance use among youth. It emphasizes collaborative actions taken by various departments and community partners to enhance child safety and wellbeing.
Key points
The CDRT is a multidisciplinary team that reviews unexpected child deaths to improve safety and prevent future fatalities.
The report incorporates findings from child deaths between 2021 and 2023 and discusses ongoing actions to address identified risks.
ACEs are included in the review process to better understand their impact on child fatalities.
There is a noted increase in child deaths related to domestic violence and exploitation, prompting cross-departmental initiatives.
The report discusses school truancy as a factor in child fatalities and outlines collaborative efforts to address chronic absenteeism.
Substance use trends among youth are highlighted, with recommendations for educational outreach.
Limitations
The text is truncated, which may limit the completeness of the summary.
Some sections contain unresolved placeholders or incomplete information.
Generated for convenience from extracted text using AI. Review the official source document before relying on this summary.
Extracted text preview · 81,308 chars
County of Santa Clara Office of the County Executive 128119 DATE: May 19, 2026 TO: Board of Supervisors FROM: John P. Mills, Deputy County Executive SUBJECT: Report relating to Santa Clara County Child Death Review Team Report 20212023 RECOMMENDED ACTION Receive report from the Office of the County Executive and other departments relating to Santa Clara County Child Death Review Team Report 2021-2023. FISCAL IMPLICATIONS There are no fiscal implications from receipt of this informational report. REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION I. Santa Clara County Child Death Review Team A. Overview The Santa Clara County Child Death Review Team (CDRT) is a multidisciplinary, collaborative body created pursuant to state law to provide professional review of unexpected child deaths (birth up to teenagers under the age of 18) reported to the Office of the Medical Examiner. The objectives of the CDRT’s review are to discover ways to improve children’s lives and to prevent serious childhood injury and deaths in the future. The Public Health Department (PHD) is responsible for coordinating the CDRT and providing staff support in preparing for the team review of cases, and the Medical Examiner prepares...
The Child Death Review Team Report for Santa Clara County covers the years 2021-2023. It includes a mission statement, background information, committee roster, executive summary, key findings, highlights and recommendations, statistics, and resources. The report focuses on reviewing child deaths to improve safety and prevent future fatalities. It discusses various factors contributing to child deaths, including drug use, unsafe sleeping, and suicides. The report emphasizes the importance of interagency collaboration and community education in addressing these issues.
Key points
The report covers child deaths in Santa Clara County from 2021 to 2023.
It includes a mission statement and background on the Child Death Review Team (CDRT).
Key findings address adverse childhood experiences and their relation to child death.
Recommendations focus on drug use, safe sleeping practices, and suicide prevention.
The report includes statistics on child deaths and highlights the need for community education.
Limitations
The document does not provide specific dates or detailed statistics.
There are unresolved placeholders in the committee roster and other sections.
Generated for convenience from extracted text using AI. Review the official source document before relying on this summary.
Extracted text preview · 272,635 chars
S A N T A C L A R A C O U N T Y REFLECTION CHILD DEATH REVIEW TEAM REPORT 2021-2023 SANTA CLARA COUNTY CHILD DEATH REVIEW TEAM CASE REPORT CALENDAR YEARS 2021-2023 TABLE OF CONTENTS SANTA CLARA COUNTY CHILD DEATH REVIEW TEAM (CDRT) 4 Mission Statement Background Committee Roster 2019-2020 4 4 5 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 8 ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES AND CHILD DEATH 10 KEY FINDINGS 12 CHILD DEATH REVIEW TEAM HIGHLIGHTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 42 Drug Use Safe Sleeping Suicides 44 44 45 STATISTICS 46 APPENDIX 48 RESOURCES 52 Team Membership Case Selection Electronic Death Registry System SANTA CLARA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Sylvia Arenas, District 1 Betty Duong, District 2 Otto Lee, District 3 Susan Ellenberg, District 4 Margaret Abe-Koga, District 5 COUNTY EXECUTIVE James R. Williams, JD FORMER SANTA CLARA COUNTY HEALTH OFFICER AND PUBLIC HEALTH DIRECTOR Sara H. Cody, MD SANTA CLARA COUNTY HEALTH OFFICER AND PUBLIC HEALTH DIRECTOR Sarah Rudman, MD COVER DESIGN The cover design was chosen to foster our children’s strength and resilience through their own reflection during uncertain times, including the historic COVID-19 pandemic, fentanyl epidemic, and continued political divide of our...
The source text indicates this attachment appears to be a draft document.
This document contains public comments submitted to the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors regarding child welfare and the Child Death Review Team Report. Maria Daane, Executive Director of Parents Helping Parents, emphasizes the vulnerabilities faced by children with disabilities and the need for systemic change in child welfare. Sharon Luna advocates for stronger child welfare prevention efforts and accountability, urging collaboration among various stakeholders to protect children. Both comments highlight the importance of addressing the needs of children with disabilities and ensuring effective support systems.
Key points
Maria Daane's comment addresses the risks faced by children with disabilities in Santa Clara County, citing specific tragic cases.
Daane calls for a systematic review of preventable child deaths and emphasizes the need for disability-informed support in child welfare.
Sharon Luna supports stronger child welfare prevention efforts and accountability, urging better coordination among professionals involved in child welfare.
Both comments stress the importance of protecting vulnerable children and improving support systems for families.
Limitations
The document appears to be a draft as it contains placeholders and lacks specific details such as dates for the comments.
There are unresolved placeholders in the email headers and attachments sections.
Generated for convenience from extracted text using AI. Review the official source document before relying on this summary.
Extracted text preview · 10,814 chars
From: To: Cc: Subject: Date: Attachments: Maria Daane BoardOperations Rodriguez, Monica; Megan Goodhue; mark [EXTERNAL] Public written comment for tomorrow Monday, May 18, 2026 11:34:34 AM Child Death Review, BOS letter 5.18.2026 (1).pdf Greetings - please distribute our written comments to County Supervisors regarding item #15 on the agenda for tomorrow's meeting Thank you Maria Maria Daane Executive Director PHP "Parents Helping Parents" (408) 727-5775 ext 153 For news and information to help your family, follow PHP on social media: Parents Helping Parents (PHP) is a nonprofit organization that provides information, training, individual assistance, and resources. PHP is not a law firm or legal service agency, and as such, the information contained in this email or in phone conversations is provided for the purpose of informing the review, but should not be considered legal advice. For legal advice, you should consult an attorney. May 18, 2026 To the Board of Supervisors: I am writing in response to the Santa Clara County Child Death Review Team Report and child welfare system reform reports, which are scheduled to be received at tomorrow’s Board of Supervisors meeting as item...
Steve Baron recommends that the board of supervisors endorse all recommendations in the Child Death Review Team Report and hold DFCS accountable for implementation through regular reports. He highlights that child abuse and neglect contribute to child fatalities and emphasizes the need for early identification and intervention.
Key points
Steve Baron urges endorsement of recommendations in the Child Death Review Team Report.
He calls for accountability from DFCS with regular reports on implementation.
Baron notes that child abuse and neglect are linked to child fatalities.
He emphasizes the importance of early identification and intervention for suspected abuse or neglect.
Limitations
The text does not provide specific details about the recommendations on pages 10 through 15.
There are missing fields for the sender and recipient information.
The date and time of the meeting are mentioned, but no specific context is provided for the meeting.
Generated for convenience from extracted text using AI. Review the official source document before relying on this summary.
Extracted text preview · 1,350 chars
From: To: Subject: Date: STEVE BARON BoardOperations [EXTERNAL] BOS 5-19-26 meeting, 1 pm, item 15, Child Death Review Team Report Monday, May 18, 2026 3:15:18 PM > It is strongly recommended that the board of supervisors endorse all of the recommendations included within the report, especially those included within pages 10 through 15, and that they hold DFCS accountable for implementing and following through on each of those recommendations by regularly requiring quarterly or semi annual reports on such implementation and the results of same. > It should be noted that child abuse and neglect are contributing factors to child fatalities due to drug exposure, some drug overdoses, some suicides, some drownings, and some high risk adolescent activity, such as accidents, were there has been a history of often multiple referrals to DFCS for suspected abuse or neglect, which referrals apparently turned out to be missed opportunities for the early accurate identification of maltreatment and early effective intervention. Instead, referrals were sometimes evaluated out, investigated and determined to be unfounded or inconclusive, or substantiated and referred to voluntary services which...
The document contains public comments submitted to the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors regarding the Santa Clara County Child Death Review Team Report for 2021-2023. Elias Gonzales expresses concern over the report's findings, highlighting issues such as fentanyl impact, mental health struggles, and the need for preventive measures and community support. David Kelly from the Family Justice Group emphasizes the importance of maintaining progress in child welfare. Frederick J. Ferrer advocates for transparency and major investments in family support and prevention strategies. Raeena Lari supports the report and its recommendations for protecting children and strengthening families.
Key points
Elias Gonzales highlights the devastating impacts of fentanyl, untreated mental health issues, and the need for trusted adults and community support.
The report indicates that 34% of students reported depressive symptoms and nearly 15% seriously considered suicide.
David Kelly urges decision-makers to maintain progress in child welfare despite tragedies.
Frederick J. Ferrer calls for a public report on system failings and advocates for a Blue Ribbon Commission to address child welfare issues.
Major investments in evidence-based strategies and prevention efforts are recommended to support families and children.
Raeena Lari expresses strong support for the report and its recommendations, emphasizing the need for coordinated public health policy.
Limitations
The document contains multiple public comments but lacks a cohesive narrative or specific details about the report's findings.
There are unresolved placeholders and formatting issues that may affect the clarity of the content.
Generated for convenience from extracted text using AI. Review the official source document before relying on this summary.
Extracted text preview · 16,006 chars
From: To: Subject: Date: Elias Gonzales BoardOperations [EXTERNAL] Item 15: Santa Clara County Child Death Review Team Report 2021-2023 Tuesday, May 19, 2026 8:16:54 AM Good afternoon Chair and Supervisors, My name is Elias Gonzales, and as someone who has worked closely with youth and families in our community, I am deeply concerned by the findings in the Santa Clara County Child Death Review Team Report for 2021–2023. This report is heartbreaking and should be treated as a call to action. It highlights the devastating impacts of fentanyl, untreated mental health struggles, trauma, school disengagement, abuse, neglect, and the lack of early intervention facing young people across our county. The report found that 34% of students reported depressive symptoms, nearly 15% seriously considered suicide, and multiple youth deaths involved fentanyl and significant histories of trauma and instability. What stands out most to me is that many of these tragedies were preventable. Too many young people are falling through the cracks before they ever receive the support they need. The report repeatedly shows the need for trusted adults, culturally responsive services, mental health support,...
The source text indicates this attachment appears to be a draft document.
The document outlines recommended actions related to the Child Death Review Team Report for 2021-2023, addressing issues such as Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), safety concerns in childcare, and the need for coordinated responses to child welfare investigations. It emphasizes the importance of preventing child deaths and improving children's lives through better integration of services and awareness campaigns.
Key points
Direct Administration to explore a countywide plan for collecting and sharing data on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs).
Review safety concerns related to the use of chux pads in childcare settings.
Produce a report on service connection and completion rates for prevention pathways.
Report on the transition to the High Fidelity Wraparound model.
Evaluate the feasibility of a joint response model for mental health support during child welfare investigations.
Launch a public awareness campaign on the impact of domestic violence on children.
Report on how AB 2085 affects investigations of general neglect.
Identify legislative barriers to implementing recommended actions.
Future Child Death Review Team Reports to be brought to the Children, Seniors and Families Committee and Board of Supervisors.
Limitations
The document appears to be a draft as it contains placeholders and lacks finalized details.
Unresolved placeholders affect the completeness of the summary.
Generated for convenience from extracted text using AI. Review the official source document before relying on this summary.
Extracted text preview · 5,276 chars
County of Santa Clara Supervisorial District One 128119 DATE: May 19, 2026 (Item No. 15) TO: Board of Supervisors FROM: Sylvia Arenas, Vice President SUBJECT: Actions Related to Child Death Review Team Report 2021-2023 RECOMMENDED ACTION Direct Administration to: 1) Explore developing a countywide plan for how Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and related indicators of trauma, resilience and protective factors are collected, shared (to the extent legally allowable), integrated and acted upon across County departments and establish protocols for how ACE-related information will be used to identify and support children and families at elevated risk. a) Ensure the framework includes consideration of the unique needs and experiences of children and youth with disabilities. 2) Review known safety concerns related to the use of chux pads and provide guidance and training to grantees of the Childcare Expansion Grant program, as well as potential partnerships with FIRST 5, SCCOE and alternative payment program providers and report back to CSFC. 3) Produce an off-agenda report with comparative data on the service connection and completion rates for all prevention pathways, including...
07
4.73 MB
Santa Clara County Child Death Review Team Report 2021-2023 Presentation
The Santa Clara County Child Death Review Team Report for 2021-2023 presents findings on child death trends, causes, and recommendations for prevention. It highlights a decrease in the all-cause child death rate from 2020-2024 compared to 2015-2019, with rates remaining below state and national averages. The report discusses the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on health outcomes and identifies leading causes of child deaths in the county. It emphasizes the need for interagency collaboration to address issues such as domestic violence, substance use, and unsafe sleeping practices. The report also outlines the mission and activities of the Child Death Review Team (CDRT) and provides observations and recommendations for improving child safety and health.
Key points
The all-cause child death rate in Santa Clara County decreased from 2020-2024 compared to 2015-2019.
Child death rates in Santa Clara County remain below state and national averages.
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are linked to chronic health problems and are prevalent among certain demographics.
The report identifies leading causes of child deaths, including congenital abnormalities, unintentional injuries, and suicides.
The CDRT's mission is to review unexpected child deaths and improve children's lives through interagency collaboration.
Recommendations include educational outreach on substance use, safe sleeping practices, and increased public awareness of child safety.
Limitations
The document contains placeholders and unfilled sections that affect the completeness of the summary.
Some data references are incomplete or truncated, limiting the ability to provide a full context.
Generated for convenience from extracted text using AI. Review the official source document before relying on this summary.
Extracted text preview · 44,189 chars
Santa Clara County Child Death Review Team Report 2021-2023 Presentation to the County of Santa Clara Board of Supervisors May 19, 2026 Trends in Child Death Rates and Causes, Santa Clara County: 2015-2024 • The County of Santa Clara Public Health Department (SCCPHD) receives delayed death data for Santa Clara County residents from death certificates. • The following preliminary analyses will examine change over time, comparison to state and national averages, and leading causes of death. • SCCPHD has been selected to join CitiesLEAD, a grant-funded national cohort examining death data trends, to identify root causes and measure impact of evidence-based policy responses. 2 The all-cause child death rate in Santa Clara County decreased in 2020-2024 compared to 2015-2019 3 The child death rate in Santa Clara County remains below state and national averages 4 Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) predict a range of health outcomes • Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are forms of childhood stressors that can result from violence, abuse, neglect, abandonment, household mental health or substance use issues, and/or other traumatic stressors.1 • ACEs are linked to chronic health...
Jerry Milner and David Kelly, co-directors of the Family Justice Group, address the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors regarding child welfare. They express concern over the increase in child removals and foster care placements following the tragic death of Jaxon Juarez. They emphasize that separating children from their families should be a last resort and caution against decisions made in response to fear. They advocate for prioritizing family support and prevention resources to ensure children's safety and well-being.
Key points
Jerry Milner and David Kelly are co-directors of the Family Justice Group.
They previously led the U.S. Children’s Bureau.
They express concern over increased child removals and foster care placements after a recent tragedy.
They argue that separating children from their families should be a last resort.
They highlight the documented trauma caused by separation from parents.
They note that most calls to child abuse hotlines are screened out or unfounded.
They advocate for investment in family support resources and primary prevention.
They stress the importance of considering children's need for family and community connections.
Limitations
The text does not provide specific dates or details regarding the tragedy mentioned.
There are unresolved placeholders and formatting issues in the extracted text.
Generated for convenience from extracted text using AI. Review the official source document before relying on this summary.
Extracted text preview · 2,609 chars
Statement to Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors We are Jerry Milner and David Kelly, co-directors of the Family Jus ce Group, focusing on keeping children safe within their families and communi es whenever possible. Prior to this work, we led the U. S. Children’s Bureau, the federal agency responsible for administering and monitoring child welfare programs in the U.S. We understand the deep concern by the Board and the Department of Family and Children’s Services for the well-being of children and their parents. The recent death of Jaxon Juarez is indeed tragic and warrants examina on, which is currently ongoing. However, we are deeply concerned by the spike in removals and increase in foster care placements that have occurred in the wake of the tragedy. Separa ng a child from their family should always be a last resort reserved for only the most serious safety concerns. Knee jerk decisions and misguided pressure to increase removals are not an appropriate response to tragedies and do not guarantee that children will be safe. In fact, the harm of separa ng a child from their parent is well documented. The trauma from even brief episodes of separa on to foster care can...