State budget may scrap critical strategy for preventing child deaths

Superkid, help! Photo: Erin Debnam.

by Fawn Pattison, Executive Director

The NC House of Representatives has passed a budget that eliminates one of the state’s most successful and cost-effective public health strategies.

The Child Fatality Task Force brings together legislators and issue experts to develop policy solutions to save children's lives. From infant car seats to toxic chemicals, it's estimated that new laws proposed by the task force since its inception in 1991 have saved the lives of approximately 9,000 children.

Unfortunately, the state House budget eliminates the Task Force! We have a narrow window of opportunity to save the Child Fatality Task Force before a final budget is approved. Please contact House Speaker Tillis and Senate Pro Tem Berger today (contact info at the end of this post).

Here's a sampling of the Task Force's accomplishments:

•   29% reduction in infant mortality through a variety of strategies, including SIDS education, professional development and funding for direct services;

•   Large reductions in accidental deaths in motor vehicles by implementing the graduated license requirement and mandatory child safety seats;

•   More effective prevention and treatment of child abuse.

Learn more about the Child Fatality Task Force here (pdf, 197KB).

Take Action! Make a quick, courteous call or email to Speaker Tillis and Pro Tem Berger today - it will make a difference!

House Speaker Thom Tillis:   919-733-3451  Thom.Tillis@ncleg.net,

Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger:  (919) 733-5708   Phil.Berger@ncleg.net

Sample message for your call or email:

The Child Fatality Task Force works, and we can't afford to lose it. Please remove the elimination of the Child Fatality Task Force from the state budget.

Thank you!

Your name and home city, NC

P.S. Are you taking action today? Let us know if you got through and whether you got a response. Thanks!