DCF's new strategy includes working with Florida-based Eckerd Foundation to provide more oversight of at-risk families.
There were 124 child fatalities in Connecticut between 2005 and 2014. The state Department of Children and Families studied the cases and is now implementing a new strategy to identify and support at-risk families.
DCF's study found that the most common cause of death was from Sudden Infant Death syndrome, or SIDS.
Susan Smith, DCF's Chief of Quality and Planning, said 34 percent of the child fatalities were attributed to SIDS when combined with unsafe sleep.
"It could be a child who's not sleeping in a crib, or child sleeping in a crib environment, that has potential materials for suffocation like blankets, toys, too much clothing," Smith said. "Those are the types of things that put a child at potential greater risk for a fatality."
Medical complications caused 12 percent of the deaths. Eight percent were caused by physical injury.
DCF's study comes after the Office of Child Advocate released its own analysisof child deaths saying research shows families under Child Protective Services are three times more likely to have a baby die from SIDS.
Smith said DCF is continuing an initiative from last year to have its social workers talk to families about safe sleep environments, and purchase Pack n Plays for families without cribs. She said the department's new strategy includes working with Florida-based Eckerd Foundation to provide more oversight of at risk families.
"[We're] thinking about the age of families," she said, "[the] number of reports they may have had with the department, age of the child -- really focusing on younger children under three years of age -- whether or not there are substance abuse issues, whether or not there may be untreated mental health issues."
There's also legislation before the Committee on Children that calls on DCF to better monitor families with young children. State Senator Beth Bye and Representative Toni Walker have proposed a bill to require stronger policies and procedures to reduce fatalities in children from birth to age three.
