State Child Fatality Review Team Committee
The Texas Family Code 264.501 created the State Child Fatality Review Team (SCFRT) Committee. The SCFRT Committee is a multi-disciplinary group of experts who work in areas related to child fatality across the state of Texas. The SCFRT Committee must produce a biennial report that is available to the public. The report includes information about child death incidences and causes and provides recommendations to the Texas governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the house of representatives, and Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS).
SCFRT members must attend meetings and may need to take part in subcommittee activities. Committee meetings take place at least four times annually or at the call of the committee chair. Members must travel to Austin for in-person meetings unless the SCFRT Committee meets virtually or offers a hybrid (in-person and virtual) option. SCFRT members may receive reimbursement for travel to and from in-person meetings if funds are available.
Next Public Meeting
Date: Friday, February 14, 2025
Time: 9 AM (CST)
Location:
TBD. DSHS will provide more information once the agenda and meeting logistics are finalized.
Membership Opportunity
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) received SCFRT Committee membership applications for the following positions:
- A Criminal Prosecutor involved in prosecuting crimes against children
- A Police Chief
- A Public Health Professional
- A Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Family Service Provider
- A Child Advocate
- A Chief Juvenile Probation Officer
- A Child Abuse Prevention Specialist
- A Provider of services to, or an Advocate for, victims of family violence
Applications closed October 7, 2024. SCFRT Committee permanent members will vote for these open positions at the November SCFRT Committee meeting. The SCFRT Committee permanent members will appoint members to the SCFRT Committee to serve a term of three years. DSHS will notify applicants by December 2, 2024, with the selection results.
DSHS did not receive applications for the following positions:
- A Sheriff
An application for this position will be posted following the November SCFRT Committee meeting.
The SCFRT Committee tries to select committee members that represent the diversity of all Texans. For that reason, the committee considers applicants' ethnicity, gender, and geographic location.
The agency does not discriminate against applicants and members of the Department of State Health Services advisory committees on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, religion, age, or sex.
Past Meetings
Click on the links below to view webcast recordings, agendas, and handouts for past meetings.
| Aug. 9, 2024 | Agenda SCFRT 8-9-2024 | Webcast Recording | |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 10, 2024 | Agenda SCFRT 5-10-2024 | SCFRT Minutes | Webcast Recording |
| Feb. 9, 2024 | Agenda SCFRT 2-9-2024 | SCFRT Minutes | Webcast Recording |
| Nov. 17, 2023 | Agenda SCFRT 11-17-2023 | SCFRT minutes | Webcast Recording |
| Aug. 11, 2023 | Agenda SCFRT 8-11-2023 | SCFRT minutes | Webcast Recording |
| May 12, 2023 | Agenda SCFRT 5-12-2023 | SCFRT minutes | Webcast Recording |
| Feb. 10, 2023 | Agenda SCFRT 2-10-2023 | SCFRT minutes | Webcast Recording |
| Nov. 18, 2022 | Agenda SCFRT 11-18-2022 | SCFRT minutes | Webcast Recording |
Learn More About the Committee and Activities
- Current Members (PDF)
- Texas Child Fatality Review Teams (PDF)
Contact Us
cfrt@dshs.texas.gov
(512) 776-7373
Reports, Protocols, and Guidelines
- State Child Fatality Review Team Committee Biennial Report - April 2024
- State Child Fatality Review Team Committee Biennial Report - April 2022
- Child Fatality Review Team (CFRT) Operations Protocol (PDF) (for best results download and open with Adobe Acrobat Reader on your desktop system.)
The Texas Department of State Health Services does not endorse external links to other websites or documents created by other agencies. These links and documents are informational and may not be accessible to persons with disabilities.