Keeping Your Panels Keeping Your Panels AfloatAfloat

History and Best Practices History and Best Practices Blake L. Jones, PhD

Kentucky Citizen Review Panels

Anita Keyes

Minnesota Citizen Review Panels

The River Rushes On Seventh Annual National Citizen Review

Panel Conference Keeping children safe from abuse and neglect. St. Paul, Minnesota

May 21, 22, 23, 2008

Never doubt that a small, Never doubt that a small, dedicated group of citizens dedicated group of citizens can make a difference. can make a difference. Indeed, it is the only thing Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has…..that ever has…..

~ Margaret ~ Margaret MeadMead

Our Presentation will…..Our Presentation will…..

Provide an Overview of History, Provide an Overview of History, Mandates and Models of Citizen Mandates and Models of Citizen Review PanelsReview Panels

Discuss Best PracticesDiscuss Best Practices

We are….We are…. Program CoordinatorsProgram Coordinators

ResearchersResearchers

Mistake-makersMistake-makers

LearnersLearners

Sharers…….Sharers…….

Let’s Review the History Let’s Review the History of CRPsof CRPs

Historical Context of Historical Context of Citizen Review PanelsCitizen Review Panels

1970’s-90’s: Concern over child fatalities in open 1970’s-90’s: Concern over child fatalities in open cases, children “languishing” in foster care, cases, children “languishing” in foster care, children returned to unsafe home environmentschildren returned to unsafe home environments

A call across the country for increased A call across the country for increased accountability in the child protection systemaccountability in the child protection system

Development of “Foster Care Review Boards”Development of “Foster Care Review Boards”

Increased “Citizen Oversight” since 1960’s (Increased “Citizen Oversight” since 1960’s (notnot just in public child welfare)just in public child welfare)

Origins of Citizen Origins of Citizen Review PanelsReview Panels

1974 1974 CChild hild AAbuse buse PPrevention and revention and TTreatment reatment AAct ct

Requires submission of a state plan detailing Requires submission of a state plan detailing compliance in order to obtain state child compliance in order to obtain state child abuse and neglect grant, including:abuse and neglect grant, including:

Child abuse and neglect reporting systemChild abuse and neglect reporting system Provision of protective servicesProvision of protective services ConfidentialityConfidentiality

““By allowing the Panels to have complete By allowing the Panels to have complete access to child protection cases, by access to child protection cases, by requiring Panels to publicize their requiring Panels to publicize their findings, and by requiring states to findings, and by requiring states to respond to criticisms and respond to criticisms and recommendations of the Panels, the recommendations of the Panels, the Committee intends to subject states to Committee intends to subject states to public criticism and political repercussion public criticism and political repercussion if they fail to protect children” if they fail to protect children”

~House report 104-081, p. 1~House report 104-081, p. 1

1996 CAPTA 1996 CAPTA ReauthorizationReauthorization

Public disclosure in cases resulting in a Public disclosure in cases resulting in a fatality or near fatalityfatality or near fatality

Mechanisms to ensure that the State does not Mechanisms to ensure that the State does not require reunification of a child with a parent require reunification of a child with a parent who has been found guilty of killing another who has been found guilty of killing another childchild

Conviction of these crimes is a ground for Conviction of these crimes is a ground for termination of parental rights (TPR) of termination of parental rights (TPR) of surviving childrensurviving children

1996 CAPTA 1996 CAPTA ReauthorizationReauthorization

Expedited TPR for “abandoned Expedited TPR for “abandoned infants”infants”

And…And…

Establishment of Establishment of

Citizen Review Panels!Citizen Review Panels!

Establishment of Establishment of Citizen Review PanelsCitizen Review Panels

3 panels 3 panels per state by July, 1999 (some only needed per state by July, 1999 (some only needed one)one)

Each panel has the responsibility to review compliance Each panel has the responsibility to review compliance of state and local CPS agencies with respect to:of state and local CPS agencies with respect to:

state CAPTA state CAPTA plan (basically ANY child protective plan (basically ANY child protective services)services)

Other criteria the panel considers important, which Other criteria the panel considers important, which may include coordination with foster care and may include coordination with foster care and adoption programsadoption programs and review of child fatalities and and review of child fatalities and near fatalitiesnear fatalities

Requirements Requirements for Citizen Review Panelsfor Citizen Review Panels

Composed of volunteer members thatComposed of volunteer members that are are broadly representative broadly representative of the community in of the community in

which they are operatingwhich they are operating include individuals with include individuals with expertise in the expertise in the

prevention and treatment of child abuse and prevention and treatment of child abuse and neglectneglect

Meet at least Meet at least quarterlyquarterly

Examine Examine policies and procedures policies and procedures and, where and, where appropriate, appropriate, specific cases specific cases of both state and local of both state and local agenciesagencies

Maintain Maintain confidentialityconfidentiality

Prepare an Prepare an annual report with activities and annual report with activities and recommendationsrecommendations

Requirements from CAPTA Requirements from CAPTA Reauthorization (2003)Reauthorization (2003)

Evaluate PRACTICES as Evaluate PRACTICES as well as policy and well as policy and procedureprocedure

Develop a means for Develop a means for public commentpublic comment

Child welfare agency is Child welfare agency is to respond in writing to to respond in writing to annual report within six annual report within six months (KY responds months (KY responds within three months)within three months)

Panels Can Examine Any of Panels Can Examine Any of the the

Following Parts of the CPS Following Parts of the CPS SystemSystem

Intake and initial Intake and initial screeningscreening

Investigation and/or Investigation and/or assessmentassessment

Case determinationCase determination

Service planing, Service planing, implementation, and implementation, and monitoringmonitoring

Case closureCase closure

Crisis intervention; Crisis intervention; Emergency placement; Emergency placement; Family stabilizationFamily stabilization

Coordination of Coordination of servicesservices

Staff qualifications, Staff qualifications, training and workloadtraining and workload

What should the state What should the state agencies agencies

have in place (“CAPTA have in place (“CAPTA Compliances”)?Compliances”)?

Reporting proceduresReporting procedures

Screening and Screening and investigationinvestigation

Child safety stepsChild safety steps

Immunity for good faith Immunity for good faith reportingreporting

Confidentiality of recordsConfidentiality of records

Public disclosure in Public disclosure in fatalities and near fatalities and near fatalitiesfatalities

Expedited TPRExpedited TPR

Cooperation of law Cooperation of law enforcement, courts and enforcement, courts and state CPS agenciesstate CPS agencies

Expungement of records Expungement of records available to publicavailable to public

Appointment of Appointment of guardians guardians ad litemad litem

Appeal of findingsAppeal of findings

Provisions not requiring Provisions not requiring reunification in certain reunification in certain casescases

HOW Can a Panel Review these HOW Can a Panel Review these Things?Things?

In-depth review of a In-depth review of a small number of small number of casescases

Broader review of Broader review of casescases

Analysis of statewide Analysis of statewide data systemsdata systems

Review of agency Review of agency policy and procedurespolicy and procedures

Targeted SurveysTargeted Surveys

Quality assurance Quality assurance reviewsreviews

Community forumsCommunity forums

Focus groups or Focus groups or interviews of staff, interviews of staff, consumers, service consumers, service providers, mandated providers, mandated reporters, foster reporters, foster parents, othersparents, others

Others?Others?

““The Intent vs. the The Intent vs. the Reality”Reality”

Examples of Models of CRP in Examples of Models of CRP in U.S.U.S.

Created new panels (KY, Tenn.)Created new panels (KY, Tenn.) > contract with Universities, other governmental > contract with Universities, other governmental

agenciesagencies

Used existing panels (i.e., child fatality review boards, Used existing panels (i.e., child fatality review boards, regional or county QA teams, Children’s Justice Act panels, regional or county QA teams, Children’s Justice Act panels, Governor’s task force teams). This appears common. Governor’s task force teams). This appears common.

Hybrid (create new panels, but coordinate with larger Hybrid (create new panels, but coordinate with larger group of existing panels)group of existing panels)

Some states—Maryland, for example--have long history of Some states—Maryland, for example--have long history of “citizen review panels.”“citizen review panels.”

Some states have Some states have manymany “Citizen Review Panels” (NC, AL) “Citizen Review Panels” (NC, AL)

Common Themes and Common Themes and ChallengesChallenges

CRP coordinated by someone from state child welfare agencyCRP coordinated by someone from state child welfare agency

Struggle with “diverse” membership and involving “non-Struggle with “diverse” membership and involving “non-professionals”professionals”

Trouble in defining the “mission” and outcomes of CRP Trouble in defining the “mission” and outcomes of CRP (“watchdog” vs. “advocate”). What are Panel’s impact?(“watchdog” vs. “advocate”). What are Panel’s impact?

Retention of membersRetention of members

Turnover in state agency (i.e., new administrations)Turnover in state agency (i.e., new administrations)

Difficulty in connecting with Child and Family Services Difficulty in connecting with Child and Family Services ReviewReview

Elizabeth Kubler-Ross’ Elizabeth Kubler-Ross’ Stages of Grief and State Stages of Grief and State

Reactions to CRPsReactions to CRPs DDenial (this enial (this isn'tisn't

happeninghappening to me!) to me!)

AAnger (why is this nger (why is this happening to happening to meme?)?)

BBargaining (I promise I'll argaining (I promise I'll be a better person be a better person (agency) (agency) ifif...)...)

DDepression (I don't epression (I don't carecare anymore)anymore)

AAcceptance (cceptance (I'm readyI'm ready for for whatever comes) whatever comes)

What have these Panels What have these Panels done?done?

Examples of Examples of Recommendations Made in Recommendations Made in

CRP Annual ReportCRP Annual Report Minimum education for a CPS worker should be a Minimum education for a CPS worker should be a

Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, education, Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, education, etc. (NY)etc. (NY)

Implementation of “user-friendly” training for mandated Implementation of “user-friendly” training for mandated reporters (MN)reporters (MN)

Do not use children as interpreters during CPS Do not use children as interpreters during CPS investigations (AZ)investigations (AZ)

Develop an Ombudsman system through an independent Develop an Ombudsman system through an independent agency (WV)agency (WV)

More funding for child welfare system in order to hire more More funding for child welfare system in order to hire more caseworkers in compliance with CWLA standards (OK)caseworkers in compliance with CWLA standards (OK)

The Kentucky ExperienceThe Kentucky Experience

Began in July, 1999Began in July, 1999

Full time program coordinator (through Full time program coordinator (through contract with University of Kentucky)contract with University of Kentucky)

5 regional Panels5 regional Panels

Over 80 volunteersOver 80 volunteers

Money for travel, training, food for meetingsMoney for travel, training, food for meetings

Meet monthlyMeet monthly

The Kentucky ExperienceThe Kentucky Experience

Areas of Focus for Kentucky Areas of Focus for Kentucky CRPsCRPs

Uniformity of child fatality reviewsUniformity of child fatality reviews

Worker training regarding “methamphetamine Worker training regarding “methamphetamine investigations”investigations”

Flow of case information from school system, law Flow of case information from school system, law enforcement, mental health professionals to child enforcement, mental health professionals to child protectionprotection

Disproportion of minority children in out of home Disproportion of minority children in out of home carecare

Process of sexual abuse investigationsProcess of sexual abuse investigations

Review of case closure criteriaReview of case closure criteria

Services for foster children who are ageing outServices for foster children who are ageing out

Research on Research on Citizen Review PanelsCitizen Review Panels

Jones, B. L. (2004) Variables Impacting the Effectiveness of Citizens Jones, B. L. (2004) Variables Impacting the Effectiveness of Citizens Review Panels For Child Protective Services: A Multi-state Study Review Panels For Child Protective Services: A Multi-state Study Children and Youth Services ReviewChildren and Youth Services Review

Jones, B.L. , Litzelfelner, P. & Ford, J.P. (2003) Making a Change or Jones, B.L. , Litzelfelner, P. & Ford, J.P. (2003) Making a Change or Making a Report: Change Perceptions of Citizens Review Panel Making a Report: Change Perceptions of Citizens Review Panel Members and Child Protective Workers. Members and Child Protective Workers. Child Abuse & Neglect: Child Abuse & Neglect: The International JournalThe International Journal., (27) 699-704.., (27) 699-704.

Jones, B.L. & Royse, D (in press, Jones, B.L. & Royse, D (in press, Child WelfareChild Welfare). Citizen Review ). Citizen Review Panels: A National Profile.Panels: A National Profile.

Jones, B.L. & Royse, D. (under review). Correlation of Training and Jones, B.L. & Royse, D. (under review). Correlation of Training and Perceived Effectiveness in Citizen Review Panels.Perceived Effectiveness in Citizen Review Panels.

Bryan, V., Jones, B.L., Allen, E. & Collins-Camargo, C.. (under Bryan, V., Jones, B.L., Allen, E. & Collins-Camargo, C.. (under review). Civic Engagement or Token Participation? Perceived review). Civic Engagement or Token Participation? Perceived Impact of the Citizen Review Panel Initiative in a Rural Southern Impact of the Citizen Review Panel Initiative in a Rural Southern StateState

The national scene…The national scene… Congress mandated a national study of CRP Congress mandated a national study of CRP

effectiveness in 2006. Feasibility Study is in the effectiveness in 2006. Feasibility Study is in the beginning stages and will be completed in ??????beginning stages and will be completed in ??????

National Citizens Review Panel Virtual National Citizens Review Panel Virtual Community (Community (www.uky.edu/socialwork/crpwww.uky.edu/socialwork/crp))

Seventh Annual Citizens Review Panel Seventh Annual Citizens Review Panel Conference, St. Paul, Minnesota May 21-23, Conference, St. Paul, Minnesota May 21-23, 2008. (Have been held in Kentucky and North 2008. (Have been held in Kentucky and North Carolina previously.)Carolina previously.)

Technical assistance provided through National Technical assistance provided through National Resource Center on Child Protective ServicesResource Center on Child Protective Services

Best PracticesBest Practices

Why involve Why involve citizens?citizens?

Increase community understanding, ownership and Increase community understanding, ownership and investment in protecting children from abuse and neglect..investment in protecting children from abuse and neglect..

Bring community standards for the protection of children Bring community standards for the protection of children into the child protection system (CPS).into the child protection system (CPS).

Provide valuable insights those working within the system Provide valuable insights those working within the system may miss. may miss.

Provide outside validation of the successes and the efforts Provide outside validation of the successes and the efforts of the staff.of the staff.

Provide public outreach to assess the impact of child Provide public outreach to assess the impact of child protection services.protection services.

Advocate for needed resources to protect children.Advocate for needed resources to protect children. Promote cooperation among community resources and the Promote cooperation among community resources and the

CPS.CPS. Make recommendations to improve the child protection Make recommendations to improve the child protection

system.system. Keep children safe from abuse and neglect..Keep children safe from abuse and neglect..

The safety, permanency and well-The safety, permanency and well-beingbeing

of all children of all children will be achieved whenwill be achieved when

everyday citizens investeveryday citizens investthemselves in communitythemselves in community

services and child protection.services and child protection.

Keeping Keeping Children SafeChildren Safe

SupportSupport The administration and decision-makersThe administration and decision-makers

Make sure they are aware and supportive of a Citizen Review Make sure they are aware and supportive of a Citizen Review Panel.Panel.

Stake-holders and members of the Stake-holders and members of the communitycommunity

Make sure they are informed about the role of the CRP.Make sure they are informed about the role of the CRP. Make sure they have input into how the CRP will operate.Make sure they have input into how the CRP will operate.

Staff who work in the child protection Staff who work in the child protection systemsystem

Make sure they understand the role of the CRP. Make sure they understand the role of the CRP. Make sure they understand their role with the CRP.Make sure they understand their role with the CRP. Make sure they are willing to facilitate the work of the citizens.Make sure they are willing to facilitate the work of the citizens.

Accessible and Accessible and AvailableAvailable

Citizen Review Panel members must be able toCitizen Review Panel members must be able to

reach staff. At least one consistent child reach staff. At least one consistent child protectionprotection

staff member should be assigned to serve as astaff member should be assigned to serve as a

liaison to the CRP. Their role includes:liaison to the CRP. Their role includes: Attending panel meetingsAttending panel meetings Providing information requestedProviding information requested Representing the agency at the panel Representing the agency at the panel

meetingsmeetings

Administration and staff must be willing to Administration and staff must be willing to listen and…listen and…

Bring citizens intoBring citizens into planningplanning..Find outFind out regionalregional concernsconcerns of citizens.of citizens.AssureAssure communicationcommunication of concerns.of concerns.GetGet reactionsreactions to alternative proposals.to alternative proposals.Develop and implementDevelop and implement solutions.solutions.Keep citizensKeep citizens informedinformed.”.”

Source:Source: “Community Involvement - Is Anybody Listening?”“Community Involvement - Is Anybody Listening?”

ListenListen

The responses of the agency The responses of the agency must be:must be:

TimelyTimely MeaningfulMeaningful FriendlyFriendly ThoroughThorough UnderstandableUnderstandable

RespondRespond

Facilitating the work Facilitating the work of the Citizen Review Panelof the Citizen Review Panel

Best practices entails effectiveBest practices entails effective

volunteer managementvolunteer management, ,

or a preferred term:or a preferred term:

effective effective volunteer volunteer facilitation.facilitation.

Effective volunteer Effective volunteer facilitation componentsfacilitation components

Orientation

Ongoing Support and Training

Recognition

Ongoing Recruitment

Application and

Screening Process

Retention

Eight points to consider in Eight points to consider in staffing a committee or staffing a committee or

panelpanel Be sure participants have clear understanding of mission.Be sure participants have clear understanding of mission.

Define the parameters for decision-making and authority.Define the parameters for decision-making and authority.

Provide appropriate guidance and education.Provide appropriate guidance and education.

Supply whatever resources are required to get the job Supply whatever resources are required to get the job done.done.

Capitalize on member’s experience and areas of expertise.Capitalize on member’s experience and areas of expertise.

Set reasonable deadlines.Set reasonable deadlines.

Seek “win-win” solutions for resolving conflicts.Seek “win-win” solutions for resolving conflicts.

Provide participants with positive feedback.Provide participants with positive feedback.

Source: Source: Committee Is Not a Four-Letter Word, by Deborah W. Flores, Committee Is Not a Four-Letter Word, by Deborah W. Flores, ““The Toastmaster”, June 2001 The Toastmaster”, June 2001

Must be in place before Must be in place before you you begin to recruit citizens:begin to recruit citizens: Policies and procedures manual (bylaws)Policies and procedures manual (bylaws)

Ongoing recruiting system, timeline and materialsOngoing recruiting system, timeline and materials

Screening criteria, process and formsScreening criteria, process and forms

Interviewing procedures and formsInterviewing procedures and forms

Orientation curricula and manualOrientation curricula and manual

Meeting and panel member’s records administration Meeting and panel member’s records administration and proceduresand procedures

Ongoing support system for panelsOngoing support system for panels

Formal and informal recognition of panel members’ Formal and informal recognition of panel members’ contributions.contributions.

Minnesota’s Citizen Review Minnesota’s Citizen Review PanelsPanelsTool KitsTool Kits

Citizen Review Panel Citizen Review Panel Tool KitsTool Kits

Procedures Tool KitProcedures Tool KitThis kit includes definitions, objectives, and operatingThis kit includes definitions, objectives, and operatingprocedures. Access to data and the relationship of theprocedures. Access to data and the relationship of thepanels with other agencies is included as well aspanels with other agencies is included as well asMinnesota statute 256.01, subd.15, Citizen ReviewMinnesota statute 256.01, subd.15, Citizen ReviewPanels.Panels.

Publicity Tool KitPublicity Tool KitIncluded in this kit are sample news releases, publicIncluded in this kit are sample news releases, publicservice announcements and how to organize a pressservice announcements and how to organize a pressconference. conference.

Citizen Review Panel Citizen Review Panel Tool KitsTool Kits

Application Tool KitApplication Tool KitThe application tool kit includes packet samples to send to thoseThe application tool kit includes packet samples to send to thoseinterested in being on the citizen review panel: cover letter, applicationinterested in being on the citizen review panel: cover letter, applicationand a Volunteer Citizen Review Panel Member Job Description.and a Volunteer Citizen Review Panel Member Job Description.

Recruiting and Screening Tool Kit Recruiting and Screening Tool Kit and the Interview Tool Kitand the Interview Tool Kit

Forms used to recruit and screen citizen review panel members are inForms used to recruit and screen citizen review panel members are inthese kits. They include: an application, a sample Tennessen Warning,these kits. They include: an application, a sample Tennessen Warning,the applicant’s interview questions, the interviewer’s questions and athe applicant’s interview questions, the interviewer’s questions and ascore sheet. Other screening tools include sample reference letters,score sheet. Other screening tools include sample reference letters,criminal records and maltreatment records releases, a Citizen Reviewcriminal records and maltreatment records releases, a Citizen ReviewPanel Agreement, a Confidentiality Agreement and a meeting sign-inPanel Agreement, a Confidentiality Agreement and a meeting sign-insheet.sheet.

Citizen Review Panel Citizen Review Panel Tool KitsTool Kits

Orientation Tool KitOrientation Tool Kit

This kit contains information about the initial citizenThis kit contains information about the initial citizenreview panel orientation training offered by thereview panel orientation training offered by theMinnesota Department of Human Services. TopicsMinnesota Department of Human Services. Topicsaddressed in the initial training and inaddressed in the initial training and inthe Citizen Review Panel Training Manual arethe Citizen Review Panel Training Manual areincluded. Contents of the video tapes used areincluded. Contents of the video tapes used arementioned. Ongoing training specific to the county mentioned. Ongoing training specific to the county

isissuggested.suggested.

Citizen Review Panel Citizen Review Panel Tool KitsTool Kits

Confidentiality Tool KitConfidentiality Tool Kit

Recognizing that confidentiality is extremely important,Recognizing that confidentiality is extremely important,a kit was developed to address this. It contains a kit was developed to address this. It contains an excerpt from the Minnesota Citizen Review Panelsan excerpt from the Minnesota Citizen Review PanelsOperating Procedures, “Access to Data”. It also Operating Procedures, “Access to Data”. It also contains three forms: “Citizen Review Panelcontains three forms: “Citizen Review PanelAgreement Relating to Protected Nonpublic andAgreement Relating to Protected Nonpublic andConfidential Data,” “State of Minnesota Citizen ReviewConfidential Data,” “State of Minnesota Citizen ReviewPanel Agreement” and a meeting sign-in-sheet thatPanel Agreement” and a meeting sign-in-sheet thatreminds panel members they may not disclosereminds panel members they may not discloseconfidential information.confidential information.

Citizen Review Panel Citizen Review Panel Tool KitsTool Kits

Meeting Tool Kit / Administrative Tasks Tool Meeting Tool Kit / Administrative Tasks Tool KitKit

These kits give panel members tips for conducting andThese kits give panel members tips for conducting andparticipating in successful meetings.participating in successful meetings. Report Writing Tool KitReport Writing Tool KitAn annual report is required for Minnesota’s CitizenAn annual report is required for Minnesota’s CitizenReview Panels. This kit is designed to minimize the Review Panels. This kit is designed to minimize the time and maximize the efforts in documenting the worktime and maximize the efforts in documenting the workof the panels. Planning forms and sample report of the panels. Planning forms and sample report formats are included.formats are included.

Citizen Review Panel Citizen Review Panel Tool KitsTool Kits

Expenses Reimbursement Tool KitExpenses Reimbursement Tool KitThis tool kit spells out our procedures forThis tool kit spells out our procedures forreimbursement of expenses incurredreimbursement of expenses incurredrelated to panel activities.related to panel activities.

Planning Tool KitPlanning Tool KitThis tool kit was developed to assist the This tool kit was developed to assist the

panelspanelsplan and prioritize where and how they willplan and prioritize where and how they willfocus their efforts, time and resources.focus their efforts, time and resources.

Provide staff support.Provide staff support.

“ “ Citizens are expected to evaluate very Citizens are expected to evaluate very large childlarge child

welfare systems. This means gathering welfare systems. This means gathering reports, looking through policy manuals, reports, looking through policy manuals, talking to staff, etc. Citizen Review Panels talking to staff, etc. Citizen Review Panels simply cannot do their work without a simply cannot do their work without a dedicated staff person who assists them dedicated staff person who assists them with such tasks as obtaining information, with such tasks as obtaining information, recruiting new members, arranging recruiting new members, arranging meetings and preparing reports.”meetings and preparing reports.”

Source: Dr. Blake Jones, Friends Fact Sheet 1, Citizen Review PanelsSource: Dr. Blake Jones, Friends Fact Sheet 1, Citizen Review Panels

On-going On-going supportsupport

Provide information and ongoing trainingProvide information and ongoing training

““Research in this area consistently identifies Research in this area consistently identifies training astraining as

a crucial variable to making citizen advisory a crucial variable to making citizen advisory boardsboards

effective. Citizen Review Panel members should effective. Citizen Review Panel members should bebe

exposed to a variety of speakers, videos, caseexposed to a variety of speakers, videos, casepresentations from frontline workers, and other presentations from frontline workers, and other

relevantrelevantinformation.”information.”

Source: Dr. Blake Jones, Friends Fact Sheet 1, Citizen Review PanelsSource: Dr. Blake Jones, Friends Fact Sheet 1, Citizen Review Panels

On-going On-going trainingtraining

Provide formal recognition.Provide formal recognition.

Respond to their recommendations in writing and Respond to their recommendations in writing and let them know when and how they will be let them know when and how they will be implemented. If they will not be implemented, let implemented. If they will not be implemented, let them know why.them know why.

Gather them for formal recognition, training and Gather them for formal recognition, training and net-working events.net-working events.

Some people appreciate certificates, letters of Some people appreciate certificates, letters of recommendation, articles about their recommendation, articles about their accomplishments in local newspapers and on local accomplishments in local newspapers and on local news programs, plaques and other awards.news programs, plaques and other awards.

Invite them to training with others in the child Invite them to training with others in the child protection system.protection system.

Give them notebooks, brief cases, pins or other Give them notebooks, brief cases, pins or other items that they can use for CRP tasks.items that they can use for CRP tasks.

RecognitionRecognition

Don’t forget to provide informal recognition.Don’t forget to provide informal recognition.

Attend to human needs. Attend to human needs. Remember that people likeRemember that people liketo be told “thank you” and to be fed at meetings. Thisto be told “thank you” and to be fed at meetings. Thismay seem simple, but very small things like havingmay seem simple, but very small things like havinglunch meetings for your volunteers or paying for themlunch meetings for your volunteers or paying for themto attend conferences goes a long way in relationshipto attend conferences goes a long way in relationshipbuilding. building.

Source: Dr. Blake Jones, Friends Fact Sheet 1, Citizen Review PanelsSource: Dr. Blake Jones, Friends Fact Sheet 1, Citizen Review Panels

RecognitionRecognition

A best practices goal is to retain the citizensA best practices goal is to retain the citizens

who have been successfully recruited,who have been successfully recruited,

screened, trained, and are invested inscreened, trained, and are invested in

protecting children. protecting children.

A clear mission, meaningful work, openA clear mission, meaningful work, open

communication, implementation ofcommunication, implementation of

recommendations and a solid infrastructurerecommendations and a solid infrastructure

will help make this possible.will help make this possible.

RetentionRetention

Keeping children Keeping children safesafe

TheThe bottom-linebottom-line goal isgoal is to to facilitate facilitate the work of the citizens so changes the work of the citizens so changes

needed to improve the child needed to improve the child protective services system are made protective services system are made

andand

kids in our communities kids in our communities

are safe from abuse and neglect. are safe from abuse and neglect.

““The best way to predict the The best way to predict the future is to invent it.”future is to invent it.” ~Immanuel Kant~Immanuel Kant