Commissioner’s Blog
Ending Fatalities Is Within Our Reach
Posted March 18, 2016 by David Sanders, Chairman
In his final blog post, Chairman Sanders describes how he believes the Commission’s proposed strategy and recommendations will save lives.
Protecting Children Today and Envisioning a Stronger Child Welfare System for the Future
Posted February 8, 2016 by David Sanders, Chairman
As the Commission nears the end of its work on the issue of child abuse and neglect fatalities, it is clear that there are no simple answers to this complex challenge.
Eliminating Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities: Creating a National Strategy for Change
Posted November 2, 2015 by David Sanders, Chairman
Ivan, a 2-year-old boy in Los Angeles, died from internal bleeding when his 19-year-old mother beat him. Child welfare, the medical system and law enforcement all knew about previous injuries to this child, but they failed to act to save him…
Why Do We Study Near Fatalities?
Posted March 10, 2015 by David Sanders, Chairman
We all agree that it is important to study fatal events of child abuse and neglect in order to improve our ability to prevent future deaths. But new research suggests that studying near-fatal events of child abuse also may be very important. This is because near fatalities are similar to fatalities in almost every way that we can measure them…
Child Safety Is a Community Responsibility
Posted December 15, 2014 by David Sanders, Chairman
When child protective services is involved with a family, the child’s safety is the first concern. But too often, we hear stories of children dying who were known to child protective services (CPS), some even while receiving in-home or out-of-home services. …
Because Every Child Counts
Posted September 19, 2014 by David Sanders, Chairman
We can all agree: One death from child abuse or neglect is one too many. Yet we have spent considerable time during our last several public meetings, including our meeting in Plymouth, Mich., on August 28, trying to understand exactly how many children die from abuse and neglect in the United States each year…
Confidentiality and Transparency: A Delicate Balance
Posted August 7, 2014 by David Sanders, Chairman
On July 10, my fellow Commissioners and I gathered in Tampa, Florida for our second public state meeting to examine national policy, research, and state approaches to identifying, preventing, and eliminating child abuse and neglect fatalities…
Our Work Begins: Finding the Right Questions
Posted June 26, 2014 by David Sanders, Chairman
On June 2–3, the Commission held its first state public meeting in San Antonio, Texas, at the invitation of Congressman Lloyd Doggett, author of the 2012 Protect Our Kids Act. The meeting was a major achievement in our efforts to launch and promote a national dialogue…
We Cannot Do This Work Alone
Posted June 1, 2014 by David Sanders, Chairman
It is my great privilege to introduce myself as chairman of the Commission to Eliminate Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities (CECANF). My fellow commissioners and I are committed to fulfilling our mandate to develop a national strategy and recommendations for reducing fatalities resulting from child abuse and neglect.