Citizen Review Panels

The National Resource Center for Child Protective Services is committed to helping states with needs they may have related to their Citizen Review Panels. On this page, you will find information, resources and links to help your state:

1. Meet the CAPTA requirements for Citizen Review Panels
2. Use Citizen Review Panels as a tool for improving your child protection services (CPS).

The Basics

The purpose of a Citizen Review Panel is to examine the effectiveness of state and local child protection systems in accordance with: (1) the state CAPTA plan, child protection standards and (2) other criteria the panel considers important including (a) CPS coordination with foster care and adoption and (b) review of child fatalities and near fatalities.

• More information on the authorizing legislation
• For program instructions and updates, please see the Child Welfare Policy Manual/CAPTA.

Citizen Review Panel requirements include a volunteer membership that is broadly representative of the community and include individuals with expertise in the prevention and treatment of child abuse and neglect. They must meet at least quarterly, examine policies, procedures and practices and evaluate the extent to which the state or local agency is meeting its CPS responsibilities. Panel members are to maintain confidentiality and to solicit public input. The panels must produce and widely distribute an annual report that includes recommendations to improve the CPS system. State and local child welfare agencies must assist the panels with their responsibilities and respond to the annual report.

Getting Started

Materials

The following materials can get you started (click on a topic). These are materials that have been developed and used in various locations for Citizen Review panel training/orientation/development. Feel free to take these and adapt them for your own use.

• Citizen Review Panel Overview (PowerPoint, 82 KB)
• CRP Scope of Work Summary (Microsoft Word, 25 KB)
• CRP Guidelines and Protocols
• Tips for Using Citizen Review Panels to Improve Child Protective Services (Tips)
• Evaluating the Impact of Your Citizen Review Panel (PowerPoint)

Learning from Other States

• Featured state – Maryland
• Other states’ Legislation, Annual reports and Action Plans

Regional Meetings

Ideas, templates and support for regional meetings of state CRP coordinators, panel members and child welfare representatives are available.

Contact theresa.costello@actionchildprotection.org for more information.

Learn More

• www.uky.edu/SocialWork/crp - National Citizen Review Panel Website. This site includes a virtual community with a list serve and discussion board, states’ CRP information and websites, national CRP conference proceedings, publications, tools and review instruments, and advocacy and research links.
• www.friendsnrc.org
• www.abanet.org/child/capta.html

Contact Us

We are always interested in hearing from you. If you have ideas, comments or questions, just email us at barb.barnard@actionchildprotection.org.