OCCY Selects Max Smith as New CDRB Research Assistant

Oklahoma City, OK (July 8, 2022) – The Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth’s (OCCY) Child Death Review Board (CDRB) program has selected Max Smith as its temporary research assistant.

“We’re very excited to have Max as part of our team,” said Annette Wisk Jacobi, OCCY executive director. “The CDRB is a great place for young professionals to learn valuable skills that will add to their career goals.”

Prior to joining OCCY, Smith received his Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from Oklahoma State University and is currently a Master of Public Health candidate at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.  His primary focus for his master’s degree will be in epidemiology.  Upon finishing his graduate program, he wants to work in the field of maternal and child health.

“I am thrilled to have Max assisting the CDRB this summer,” said Lisa Rhoades, CDRB program manager. “The work he is doing will help support finding ways to bridge gaps in services provided and will help get these vital bits of information into the hands of families.”

Smith will work for the program for the remainder of the summer of 2022. 

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ABOUT THE CDRB - Since its beginning, the Child Death Review Board at the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth has reviewed thousands of cases involving the deaths of Oklahoma’s children all aged 18 years and younger.  Although the results are confidential, the reviews have allowed the CDRB to collect statistical data and system failure information.  This has led to the development of recommendations to improve policies, procedures, and practices within (and between) the agencies that protect and serve the children of Oklahoma.