State Child Fatality Review Team Committee
The Texas Family Code 264.501 created the State Child Fatality Review Team (SCFRT) Committee. The SCFRT Committee is a multi-disciplinary group of experts who work in areas related to child fatality across the state of Texas. The SCFRT Committee must produce a biennial report that is available to the public. The report includes information about child death incidences and causes and provides recommendations to the Texas governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the house of representatives, and Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS).
SCFRT members must attend meetings and may need to take part in subcommittee activities. Committee meetings take place at least four times annually or at the call of the committee chair. Members must travel to Austin for in-person meetings unless the SCFRT Committee meets virtually or offers a hybrid (in-person and virtual) option. SCFRT members may receive reimbursement for travel to and from in-person meetings if funds are available.
Upcoming Meetings
| Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, May 9, 2025 | 10 AM (CST) |
TBD. DSHS will provide more information once the agenda and meeting logistics are finalized. |
Past Meetings and Materials
Click on the links below to view webcast recordings, agendas, and handouts for past meetings.
| Date | Agenda | Minutes | Webcast Recording |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb. 14, 2025 | Agenda SCFRT 2-14-2025 | Webcast Recording | |
| Nov. 8, 2024 | Agenda SCFRT 11-8-2024 | SCFRT Minutes | Webcast Recording |
| Aug. 9, 2024 | Agenda SCFRT 8-9-2024 | SCFRT Minutes | Webcast Recording |
| May 10, 2024 | Agenda SCFRT 5-10-2024 | SCFRT Minutes | Webcast Recording |
| Feb. 9, 2024 | Agenda SCFRT 2-9-2024 | SCFRT Minutes | Webcast Recording |
| Nov. 17, 2023 | Agenda SCFRT 11-17-2023 | SCFRT minutes | Webcast Recording |
| Aug. 11, 2023 | Agenda SCFRT 8-11-2023 | SCFRT minutes | Webcast Recording |
| May 12, 2023 | Agenda SCFRT 5-12-2023 | SCFRT minutes | Webcast Recording |
| Feb. 10, 2023 | Agenda SCFRT 2-10-2023 | SCFRT minutes | Webcast Recording |
Committee Roster
| Name | City | Membership Category | Term Expiration | Public Health Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lindsey Anzaldua | Austin | Child Protective Services Specialist | 2027 | 7 |
| Lauren Butschek-Neisler | Fort Worth | Public Health Professional | 2028 | 2/3 |
| Tara Das, Ph.D. | Austin | Vital Statistics Representative | Permanent Member | Statewide |
| VACANT | Governor's Office Appointee | Permanent Member | Statewide | |
| Lori Gabbert Charney | Austin | Title V Representative | Permanent Member | Statewide |
| Joanne Garcia Flores | Amarillo | Justice of the Peace | 2027 | 1 |
| Katia Gonzalez | Fort Worth | Child Educator | 2027 | 2/3 |
| Donna Hansen | Conroe | Criminal Prosecutor involved in prosecuting crimes against children | 2028 | 6/5S |
| Chair Michael Hayes | New Braunfels | Emergency Medical Services Provider | 2027 | 8 |
| Stacey Head | North Richland Hills | Child Abuse Prevention Specialist | 2028 | 2/3 |
| Ryan Howard | Waco | Department of Public Safety Representative | 2027 | 7 |
| Wykesha Kelley-Dixon | Webster | Family Violence Advocate | 2028 | 6/5S |
| Natalie Kissoon, M.D. | San Antonio | Pediatrician experienced in diagnosing and treating child abuse and neglect | 2027 | 8 |
| Natalie Lopez | New Braunfels | Child Advocate | 2028 | 8 |
| Onesimo Lopez | Bellaire | Police Chief | 2028 | 6/5S |
| Savannah Lusk, Ph.D. | Houston | Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Family Service Provider | 2028 | 6/5S |
| Letty Martinez | Fort Worth | Lieutenant Governor Appointee | Permanent Member | Statewide |
| Sergio Martinez | Laredo | Department of Family and Protective Services Representative | Permanent Member | Statewide |
| LaViza Matthews | Amarillo | Texas Department of Transportation Representative | 2027 | 1 |
| Maricela Morales | San Antonio | Chief Juvenile Probation Officer | 2028 | 8 |
| Jennifer Ross, M.D. | Houston | Medical Examiner | 2027 | 6/5S |
| Brian Thomas | Amarillo | Sheriff | 2028 | 1 |
| Vice Chair Lawrence Thompson, Ph.D. | Houston | Child Mental Health Provider | 2026 | 6/5S |
| Davlyn Tillman, M.D. | Houston | Neonatologist | 2027 | 6/5S |
| Representative Gene Wu | Austin | Speaker of the House of Representatives Appointee | Permanent Member | Statewide |
Committee Documents
- Current Members (PDF)
- Texas Child Fatality Review Teams (PDF)
Reports, Protocols, and Guidelines
-
State Child Fatality Review Team Committee Biennial Report - April 2024
- State Child Fatality Review Team Committee Biennial Report - April 2022
- Child Fatality Review Team (CFRT) Operations Protocol (PDF) (for best results download and open with Adobe Acrobat Reader on your desktop system.)
Membership Opportunity
There are no open SCFRT committee member positions at this time. The application for open committee member positions will be posted on this site as positions become available.
The SCFRT Committee tries to select committee members that represent the diversity of all Texans. For that reason, the committee considers applicants' ethnicity, sex, and geographic location.
The agency does not discriminate against applicants and members of the Department of State Health Services advisory committees on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, religion, age, or sex.
Committee Contact
Phone
(512)776-7373