Program Contact
Grace Jackson, BHS (she/her)
MCDR Program Manager
State of Alaska, DPH, WCFH, MCH Epidemiology
3601 C Street, Ste. 358
Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone: 907-269-3446
Fax: 907-269-3493
Email: grace.jackson@alaska.gov
Website: http://dhss.alaska.gov/dph/wcfh/Pages/mchepi/mcdr/default.aspx
Program Description
Administration
Alaska has two review programs: The Maternal and Child Death Review (MCDR) and the Child Fatality Review Team (CFRT).
MCDR has been in place since 1989. Initially, the program only reviewed maternal, infant and occasionally fetal deaths. In 2005, the age criterion was expanded to include children. The age range of children has varied over time; currently MCDR reviews infants and children 0 – 17 years of age statewide. Alaska’s MCDR staff consist of a Program Manager, Epidemiologist, Health Program Associate and a consulting Senior Epidemiologist. Federal funding like the Title V MCH Block Grant and the CDC SUID grant are blended to fund these positions which are housed in Alaska’ Title V Agency, within the Section of Women’s, Children’s, and Family Health of the Alaska Division of Public Health.
CFRT was established by statute (section 12.65.120 to .140) in 1998. There is no budget for this program, and it is housed in the State Medical Examiner’s Office.
Teams
MCDR committee members are on a voluntary basis and are approved by the Commissioner of the Department of Health and Social Services and the State of Alaska Medical Board. Committee membership includes medical providers such as pediatricians, neonatologists, obstetricians, and nurses, as well as social workers, epidemiologists, tribal representatives, and children’s justice advocates.
CFRT committee members are specified in Alaska statute. This CFRT state-level team is mandatory. The chairperson of the state team is the Chief Medical Examiner. The state team conducts retrospective/periodic reviews. Local teams are permitted, although none currently exist.
Reviews
The MCDR program reviews maternal cases and infant and child deaths ages 0 – 17. All deaths occurring in the state of Alaska or among Alaskan residents that meet these criteria are reviewed. All reviews are conducted retrospectively, with the committee meeting once a month.
The CFRT program reviews all deaths ages 0-17 that are unanticipated, sudden, or violent, focusing on legal and law enforcement activities surrounding the death and only reviewing those deaths that go through the State Medical Examiner’s Office. All reviews are usually completed within one month of the time of death.
Purpose
The final products of MCDR are reports with public health recommendations.
The final product of CFRT is a decision on legal action and decision on cause and manner of death to put on the death certificate.
Data
MCDR utilizes standardized data reporting forms, which are completed for all reviews. All information is then entered and stored in the National Fatality Review Case Reporting System which is accessed for analysis.
Annual Report
Reports are published on a quarterly basis. Additionally, topic-specific Epi Bulletins, fact sheets, presentations, and other reports are developed to inform the public about specific risk and protective factors impacting infants, children, or mothers as well as to increase awareness about prevention opportunities.
No CFRT reports have been published.
Protocols
Both MCDR and CFRT have meeting and confidentiality protocols in place.
Training
MCDR holds an annual joint summit with the perinatal quality collaborative, during which speakers are selected based on MCDR data and identified need areas. Topic-specific virtual trainings are identified and shared with panelists as they become available and as needed. Occasionally, new trainings are developed when a particular need arises (e.g. a training on Hmong culture, birthing practices and historical trauma was developed to improve panelists’ understanding of this population before completing review of deaths from within this community.)
New panelists receive an orientation packet and initial training about the review process.
Last Updated: May 2021
Tools
Reports
Mortality Statistics