8.9.1.1 Critical Event and Critical Notification Reporting
Critical events are child fatalities, near fatalities, and serious bodily injuries. Staff are to report all critical events immediately to their supervisor, Circuit Manager, Field Support Manager, and the Regional Director, and the litigation attorney(s) if assigned to the circuit. All child fatalities, near fatalities, and serious bodily injuries must also be reported utilizing the Critical Event Notification (CS-23) form.
There are other instances that may not rise to the level of a critical event but should also be reported utilizing the Critical Event Notification (CS-23) form. These are:
- Suspected abuse or neglect of a child that occurred while they are in the legal custody of the Children’s Division.
- Incidents that involve the arrest of a resource parent.
When the county office or contracted case management agency (FCCM) becomes aware of a critical event or need to make a critical notification, the supervisor or above will ensure the following occurs:
- Complete the CS-23 within one (1) business day.
- Send the CS-23 to CD.CriticalEventReport@dss.mo.gov and carbon copy (cc) the Circuit Manager, Field Support Manager, and Regional Director, and the litigation attorney(s) if assigned to the circuit.
- If the county office and the Out of Home Investigation (OHI) unit are both involved, only one CS-23 needs to be sent. FCCM agencies are responsible for sending the CS-23 for critical events involving contracted cases. The supervisors involved in the critical event should collaborate to determine the best staff member to complete/submit the CS-23. When determining who the best person would be to complete the CS-23, be mindful of the impacts of secondary trauma.
- Upload the CS-23 to OnBase in the associated CA/N Report for the critical event. If there is no applicable CA/N Report, the CS-23 should be uploaded to the open case management function in FACES.
- Provide important updates via the CS-23 as the critical event unfolds. Examples include but are not limited to: change in the child’s medical condition, arrest of an involved individual, change in circumstances that require a new safety assessment or reassessment, safety planning, or change in placement.
8.9.1.2 Children’s Division Review–Under Construction
8.9.1.3 Media Attention that Does Not Meet Critical Event Criteria
Media only notifications are not to be reported through the critical event form (CS-23) UNLESS there is media attention regarding the critical event. If there is media attention, or if there’s a possibility for media attention, that is NOT associated with an incident that meets the criteria for a critical event staff will send notification to Media.Alerts@dss.mo.gov . The notification must include the following information:
- Case number;
- County;
- Persons involved;
- What type of media coverage; and
- Information around media involvement.
Definitions
Near Fatality
Pursuant to 13 CSR 35-35.100, near fatality is defined as any physical injury or illness of a child caused by suspected or substantiated child abuse or neglect that, as certified by a physician, places the child in serious or critical condition.
Serious Bodily Injury
Pursuant to 13 CSR 35-35.100 serious bodily injury is defined as bodily injury which involves substantial risk of death, extreme physical pain, protracted and obvious disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of a bodily member, organ, or mental faculty.