CHILD PROTECTION ACCOUNTABILITY COMMISSION (CPAC)

HISTORY AND STATUTORY MISSION

    Delaware’s Child Protection Accountability Commission (“CPAC” or “the Commission”) was statutorily created in 1997 as part of a comprehensive strategy, entitled the Child Abuse Prevention Act of 1997, to improve Delaware’s child protection system following the tragic death of a four year old boy named Bryan Martin. This act made significant changes regarding how Delaware investigates child abuse and neglect and how it fosters a child protection community of cooperation, accountability and multi-disciplinary collaboration. See 16 Del. C., Ch. 9. CPAC’s overall statutory mission is to monitor Delaware’s child protection system to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of Delaware’s abused, neglected, and dependent children. 16 Del. C. § 912(b). The statutory duties of the Commission are as follows:

(1) Examine and evaluate the policies, procedures and effectiveness of the child protection system and make recommendations for changes therein, focusing specifically on the respective roles in the child protection system of the Division of Family Services, the Division of Child Mental Health Services, the Office of the Attorney General, the Family Court, the medical community, and law enforcement agencies;

(2) Recommend changes in the policies and procedures for investigating and overseeing the welfare of abused, neglected and dependent children;

(3) Advocate for legislation and make legislative recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly;

(4) Access, develop and provide quality training to staff of the Division of Family Services, Deputy Attorneys General, Family Court, law enforcement officers, the medical community, educators, day-care providers, and others on child protection issues; and

(5) Review and make recommendations concerning the well-being of Delaware's abused, neglected and dependent children including, but not limited to, issues relating to foster care, adoption, mental health services, victim services, education, rehabilitation, substance abuse and independent living.

See 16 Del. C. § 912(b).

    When CPAC began its work in 1997, its primary focus was on the caseloads of child protection workers, and the resulting turnover and inexperience of workers that compromised child safety. The Commission lobbied hard for the caseload standards and career ladders for workers, as well as partnered with the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families (“Children’s Department” or “DSCYF”) for the creation of an overhire pool. The Commission also focused on building partnerships among law enforcement, prosecutors, and the Division of Family Services (“DFS”) to improve outcomes for Delaware’s children. In February of 2000, after the creation of the Office of the Child Advocate, staffing for the Commission was put in place. In 2001, the Commission’s membership and statutory duties were expanded to include a focus on well-being of children in the child protection system. Finally, in April of 2004, DFS asked CPAC to serve as Delaware’s federally required Citizen Review Panel under the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act. CPAC assumed that responsibility in July of 2004. As such, CPAC now plays an even greater role in reviewing the child protection system’s discharge of its responsibilities to Delaware’s children.