0511 Critical Incident Review and Assessment

 

The purpose of the Critical Incident Review process is to review the circumstances surrounding critical incidents, including the Division’s initial response to the critical incident and prior involvement with the family.  The goal of the review is to identify systemic issues, agency practices, or areas of need, which, if addressed through policy or practice, may improve the Division’s effectiveness moving forward. 

 A preliminary assessment of all critical incidents shall be completed by a designee of the DCF Administration Critical Incident team to determine if a Critical Incident Review and Assessment is warranted. The DCF Administration Critical Incident team includes; the Secretary of DCF, Deputy Secretary, Special Assistant to Secretary and Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary, Communications Director, Public Information Officer, PPS Director, PPS Deputy Directors, Legal Counsel and designee(s) as appropriate. A Critical Incident Review and Assessment may be warranted as deemed appropriate by the DCF Administration Critical Incident team or designee for any critical incident.

 A Review and Assessment shall take place under the following circumstances:

1. 1. A death, near death, attempted suicide, or serious physical injury involving a child with an open service or foster care case, or a child is named in an open investigation or family assessment;
   2. A death, near death, or serious physical injury of a child when child abuse or neglect is suspected;
   3. A death, near death, or serious physical injury of a child with relevant PPS involvement when child abuse or neglect is suspected;
   4. Upon the request of the Secretary, Deputy Secretary or PPS Director. 
2. The Critical Incident Review and Assessment process consists of the following parts:

 

1. 1. Preliminary Assessment of Critical Incident Notification-PPS 0550

 

1. 1. 1. The preliminary assessment shall be completed within three working days of receipt of the Critical Incident Notification PPS 0550, or sooner if requested by a member of the DCF Administration Critical Incident team.  This preliminary assessment shall be completed by a designee of the DCF Administration Critical Incident team and for the purpose of identifying follow up activities and the need for a Critical Incident Review and Assessment.
      2. Upon request from DCF Administration Critical Incident team or designee, the DCF Region shall complete the Critical Incident History Log PPS 0551 within three working days from the request and submit via e-mail to the requestor.

1. 2. Critical Incident Employee Experience Appendix 0B

 

1. 1. 1. This part of the Critical Incident Review and Assessment is to help inform systemic change by supporting and obtaining the perspective of PPS staff who have worked with, and have knowledge of, the family. 
      2. This part of the Critical Incident Review and Assessment shall be completed at the request of a member of the DCF Administration Critical Incident team.
      3. The designee of the DCF Administration Critical Incident team shall complete the Critical Incident Case Review Employee Experience Appendix 0B either in person, virtually, by phone, or by email with the PPS staff member(s) involved with the critical incident and others who have recent involvement with the family and/or who have been involved with prior relevant cases.

1. 3. Observations from Critical Incident Review Appendix 0C

 

1. 1. 1. The designee of the DCF Administration Critical Incident team shall complete the Critical Incident Case Review Observations Appendix 0C with information provided through the Critical Incident Review and Assessment process, including any additional information provided relevant to the incident. 
      2. At the request of a member of the DCF Administration Critical Incident team, The designee of the team shall schedule a meeting to present information related to an incident, or incidents, and observations from the Critical Incident Review and Assessment process.  All members of the DCF Administration Critical Incident team shall be invited, along with the Regional Director involved with the critical incident.  The Regional Director may invite others as appropriate.