Federal legislation requires each State to create citizen review panels (CRPs) to meet quarterly and report annually on efforts to ensure that the State is in compliance with child protection requirements. Panels review policies, procedures, and practices; State agencies must respond to panel recommendations for system and practice improvement. Resources in this section, which include State and local examples, focus on the operation of CRPs, including development, preparation and support of members, guidelines, and studies of effectiveness.
Citizen Review Panels for Child Protective Services: A National Profile
Jones & Royse (2008)
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Reports on a study of CRP members in 20 States regarding demographics as well as their opinions on variables that promote and hinder collaboration between the panels and State child welfare agencies.
Improving Agency Services: The Role of CAPTA Citizen Review Panels [Audiotape]
National Child Welfare Resource Center for Organizational Improvement (2002)
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Explores how States have responded to the requirement to establish CRPs and the potential benefits of collaboration. In this teleconference, State representatives discuss how their CRPs resolve issues around the quality of child welfare services.
Key Features of Effective Citizen-State Child Welfare Partnerships: Findings From a National Study of Citizen Review Panels
Bryan, Jones, & Lawson
Children and Youth Services Review, 32(4), 2010
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Presents findings from a national study of CRPs that examined the relationships between panel characteristics and perceptions of both members and coordinators of panel effectiveness. The report includes recommendations for how coordinators and citizen volunteers can strengthen panel effectiveness.
The Value and Role of Citizen Review Panels in Child Welfare: Perceptions of Citizens Review Panel Members and Child Protection Workers
Jones, Litzelfelner, & Ford
Child Abuse and Neglect, 27(6), 2003
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Reports on a survey comparing opinions regarding the importance of citizen involvement in the child protective services system and barriers to involvement, including poor communication and lack of knowledge of system processes.
What Do We Know About Strategies for Involving Citizens in Public Child Welfare: A Review of Recent Literature and Implications for Policy, Practice, and Future Research
Collins-Camargo, Jones, & Krusich
Journal of Public Child Welfare, 3(3), 2009
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Reviews the current literature on citizen participation in public child welfare with special emphasis on foster care review boards, court-appointed special advocates (CASAs), and CRPs. The authors offer strategies for using citizens to support positive change within public child welfare agencies.
State and local examples
California Citizen Review Panels: Guide and Reference Manual (PDF 258 KB)
Strategies, Interface Children Family Services, & California Office of Child Abuse Prevention (2005)
Provides information, resources, and sample forms to educate CRP members, the public, and public officials on the activities of CRPs, from initial development to the review process. The manual includes resources that can be used to train CRP members as well as help the panel develop and organize CRP activities.
Civic Engagement or Token Participation?: Perceived Impact of the Citizen Review Panel Initiative
Bryan, Jones, Allen, & Collins-Camargo
Children and Youth Services Review, 29(10), 2007
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Analyzes the results of a study of the Kentucky CRP to identify prevalent, convergent, and divergent themes of State agency and panel perspectives. The article discusses findings and recommendations for improvement in the functioning of the panels.
Effectiveness of Citizen Review Panels
Jones
Children and Youth Services Review, 26(12), 2004
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Reports the findings of a survey about the effectiveness of CRPs in a 10-State area in the Midwest and South. Findings suggest that the perceived effectiveness of panels in influencing policy is related to increased communication, an awareness of roles and limitations, legitimate collaboration, and realistic goals.
Kentucky Citizen Foster Care Review Board Policy and Procedure Manual (PDF 190 KB)
Kentucky Citizen Foster Care Review Board (2002)
Presents an operational guide to the daily activities of review panels in the State, including policies and procedures, the constitution, by-laws, and organizational structure of the board, and offers training and certification information.
Minnesota Citizen Review Panels: Reaching out to Protect Children (PDF 40 KB)
Minnesota Department of Human Services (2010)
Describes the role and tasks of citizen review panels in Minnesota.
Models for Involving Citizens in the Child Welfare System in Kentucky: An Overview
Litzelfelner, Collins-Camargo, & Jones (2001)
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Provides an overview of various models of citizen participation in the Kentucky child protection system, including CRPs, foster care review boards, and court-appointed special advocate (CASA) programs.
The Citizen Review Board for Children
Maryland Department of Human Resources
Provides a website for the program's policies and procedures manual, annual reports, and forms. The site includes a form for volunteer applications.