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2 <br /> orange County Community Child Protection Team <br /> Report to the Board of' County Commissioners <br /> In FY 1990 there were 36,223 reports of suspected child <br /> abuse/neglect in North Carolina. By FY 1993 this number had <br /> increased to 59,527. Recognizing the dramatic rise in the <br /> number of children reported as abused and neglected as well <br /> as the increase in tragic deaths due to maltreatment, <br /> Executive Order 142 was issued on May 1, 1991. This Order <br /> outlined initiatives to strengthen services for these <br /> children, one of which was the establishment of Community <br /> Child Protection Teams (CCPT) across the state. The CCPT is <br /> an interdisciplinary group of community representatives which <br /> meets bi-monthly to promote the development of a community- <br /> wide approach to the problem of child abuse and neglect. The <br /> specific responsibilities of the team include: <br /> 1. The review of selected high risk cases to assist the <br /> Department of Social Services (DSS) in evaluating <br /> allegations of child abuse or neglect and in planning and <br /> providing services to prevent further 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 an annual report to the Board of County <br /> Commissioners which contains recommendations, if any, and <br /> advocacy for system improvements and needed resources <br /> when gaps and deficiencies exist. This document is the <br /> CCPT first formal report to the Board. <br /> The CCPT includes representatives of public and non-public <br /> agencies in the community that provide services to children <br /> and their families and other individuals who represent the <br /> community. Attachment II identifies the members of the team. <br /> The Orange County CCPT held its first meeting for training in <br /> the fall of 1991. Following orientation and training, the <br /> team began to review cases as well as the established child <br /> protection system. In 1993 the CCPT established a Children's <br /> Services Sub-committee to identify gaps in service delivery <br /> for children. The Sub-Committee focused on the need for and <br /> benefits of preventive services for "at risk" families. Gaps <br /> in direct services were identified. The Sub-Committee also <br /> examined the potential for existing programs or new <br /> initiatives to address the gaps and barriers. <br />