Critical Event Review Reports

A Critical Event Review (CER) is the process in which the Department of Children, Youth & Families conducts a detailed case analysis following a child fatality, near fatality or other serious or critical condition. 

CERs provide an opportunity for the Department to conduct a detailed case analysis following a child fatality, near fatality or other serious situation that warrants a review, in accordance with state law RIGL§ 42-73-2.3. The case analysis process enables the Department to determine whether the incident reflects a more significant systemic issue the Department must address.

CERs are convened in the following situations: 

• A child fatality in which child abuse or neglect is suspected to be a contributing factor regardless of whether the family is currently active (“open”) to the Department or has ever received services from the Department.
• A child fatality or near fatality in which child abuse or neglect could be a contributing factor and the family is active or has been active with any division of the Department within the previous 12 months or
• A child fatality or near fatality in which abuse or neglect is not suspected to be a contributing factor, but the family is active or has been active with any division of the Department within the previous 12 months.
• Any severe other situation as identified by the Department Director or designee. (None of the 2024 critical events fell in this category.)