Consolidating and Sustaining Germ:

In 2008, the family?s prior involvement with the agency and the consistent risk factors
and chaotic lifestyle of the family was not adequately considered when simply offering
Ms. M- voluntary services. There was sufficient demonstrated history that Ms.
M-vould not engage in voluntary services and that A-would continue to be at
risk.

Provider 
The DCF Special Investigation review into death highlighted speci?c concerns regarding
practices while L-was at the Mentor foster tome.
- Mentor did not train foster parents on safe sleep environments, and the Mentor
management team did not know what constituted a safe sleep environment.
- Mentor did not adhere to its own policy of seeing a child within one week of placement.

 

Reviewed 1) Commissioner An ele McClain

 

'L-s death at two months of age was reported as a ?Sudden UnexplainedDeath?
while she was residing in a foster home. Though not a definitive causal factor, it was
noted that L-Nas not put to bed in a safe sleeping.environment. There wereno
egregious'D'CF casework practices related to L-?s death.

This Family had along history with the Department prior to birth and the-parents
had demonstrated limited parenting capacity, chronic homelessnessand substance -
abuse Despite concerted efforts by social workers, the parents were not able to-
successfully engage in treatment.

It washighliglned during the Investigation into L.s death. that education-was
needed tor staff and tester parents at Mentor. Inc. regarding safe sleeping arrangements
for infants. The Deputy Commissioner for Field Operations and theAssistant
Commissionertbr Foster Care,l_AdoIescent and Adoption Services are directedt'o wo'rk_
with Mentor to ensure-that this education is provided

 

Signature Date

 

 

 

Confidential [Page]

Subject to Protective Order entered 6/17/2011 DCF011184867