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2 <br /> Orange County Community Child Protection Team <br /> Report to the Board of County Commissioners <br /> Recognizing the dramatic rise in the number of children reported as <br /> abused and neglected as well as the increase in tragic deaths due <br /> to maltreatment, Executive Order 142 was issued on May 1, 1991. <br /> This order outlined initiatives to strengthen services for these <br /> children, one of which was the establishment of Community Child <br /> Protection Teams (CCPT) across the state. The CCPT is an <br /> interdisciplinary group of community representatives which meets <br /> bi-monthly to promote the development of a community-wide approach <br /> to the problem of child abuse and neglect. The specific <br /> responsibilities of the team include: <br /> 1. To review selected high risk cases to assist the <br /> Department of Social Services (DSS) in evaluating <br /> allegations of child abuse or neglect and in <br /> planning and providing services to prevent further <br /> abuse and neglect. <br /> 2. To review fatalities suspected to have resulted from <br /> child abuse, neglect or dependency; to identify whether <br /> gaps and deficiencies exist in the community child <br /> protection system and to assist DSS in the protection of <br /> surviving siblings. <br /> 3. To submit and annual report to the Board of County <br /> Commissioners which contains recommendations, if any, <br /> and advocacy for system improvements and needed resources <br /> when gaps and deficiencies exist. <br /> The CCPT includes representatives of public and non-public agencies <br /> in the community that provide services to children and their <br /> families and other individuals who represent the community. <br /> Attachment II identifies the members of the team. <br /> The Orange County CCPT met several times initially for training and <br /> then began to review cases as well as the child protection system. <br /> In 1993 the CCPT established a Children's Services Sub-Committee to <br /> identify gaps in service delivery for children. The Sub-Committee <br /> focused on the need for and benefits of preventive services for "at <br /> risk" families. Gaps in direct services were identified. The Sub- <br /> Committee then examined the potential for existing programs or new <br /> initiatives to address the gaps and barriers. Attachment III is a <br /> copy of this report. <br /> The CCPT review of cases has indicated that the Department's <br /> response to reports of child abuse and neglect is timely, children <br /> are seen promptly, appropriate decisions are being made, and <br /> children identified as "abused" and/or "neglected" are receiving <br />