Northern Circuit CFR Team Named Best in State By Georgia Lawmakers

DA Parks White and CFR Team at State Capitol Monday.  CFR Team for N. Circuit named Best in the State

DA Parks White and CFR Team at State Capitol Monday. CFR Team for N. Circuit named Best in the State

The Northern Judicial Circuit Child Fatality Review (CFR) panel was recently recognized in a Senate Resolution.

CFR is an independent program currently administered out of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI).

Northern Judicial Circuit Parks White and Circuit’s CFR team were honored Monday at the State Capitol as being the best in the State.

White credited the hard work of the District’s Victim’s Assistance Coordinator Kristie Cross for taking the lead in rebuilding the Circuit’s CFR program.

“She is a remarkable woman and I am honored to have such people who are so hard working in our office,” White said. “She is responsible for maintaining our records for purposes of maintaining our grant and working with victims’ families, making sure they are satisfied and notified of all hearings.”

Additionally, White said Cross also works with the state to bring closure to the parents and provide reporting to the State to prevent future child fatalities.

There are four state-level staff who are responsible for providing training and technical assistance to the local review committees.

Georgia has 159 counties, and each county has its own CFR committee, according to the GBI.

Local CFR committees review all injury, sleep-related, and unexpected/suspicious deaths to children who are less than 18 years old.

White with Lt. Gov Casey Cagle, Senators Frank Ginn, John Wilkinson and Rep Alan Powell

White with Lt. Gov Casey Cagle, Senators Frank Ginn, John Wilkinson and Rep Alan Powell

“Every child fatality in the Circuit has to be reviewed with a team consisting of the coroner, law enforcement members, and child advocates from Harmony House,” White said. “All that information has to be provided to the State and the Governor’s office. We’re basically just following the guidelines of what’s required and making sure all of the informationis provided in a timely manner. I know it sounds like a simple thing, but they’re there because they are dedicated public servants. We don’t have anyone who’s there because they just want a paycheck. They’re there because they understand the mission.”

White also thanked Senators Butler, Ginn, and Willkinson, along with Representative Alan Powell, and Lieutenant Governor Cagle for the State recognition.