Pennsylvania is preparing to implement the first phase of Citizen Review Panels. Citizen Review Panels provide opportunities for members of the community to take an active role in protecting children from abuse and neglect.
Children who have been abused or neglected will often live out the remainder of their lives with physical, cognitive and/or emotional disabilities. If they do not enter the child welfare system, they will likely at some time require government subsidized health care, special education services, personal care assistance and vocational rehabilitation services. Parents of children with special needs and all concerned citizens are being invited to have a voice in reviewing the Child Welfare Systems across the Commonwealth.
On November 9, 2006, House Bill 2670 was signed into law as Act 146 by Governor Edward G. Rendell. Act 146 of 2006 provided Pennsylvania with the necessary statutory requirements for full compliance with the Federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA). The Department of Public Welfare (the Department) has embraced the requirement to establish citizen review panels by reconvening the CAPTA Workgroup to assist with implementing the Citizen Review Panels. Consisting of volunteers from a variety of backgrounds and specialties, the CAPTA Workgroup assisted with drafting statutory language that became Act 146.
The mission of the workgroup is to facilitate citizen participation and provide opportunities for citizens to evaluate state and local child welfare systems to ensure that these systems:
Ø Provide the best possible services ;
Ø Prevent and protect children from abuse and neglect; and
Ø Meet the permanency needs of children.
The vision is that, as a result, Pennsylvania children will have the opportunity to develop to their full potential living in nurturing, safe, healthy, permanent families.
Eight Citizen Review Panels will be established across the Commonwealth. The first phase will consist of a total of three panels in the north west, south central and north east regions of Pennsylvania. The panels are required to meet at least quarterly and provide annual recommendations to the Department regarding the continuous improvement of child welfare services in Pennsylvania.
Citizen Review Panels are composed of volunteer members, including individuals with expertise and interest in the prevention and treatment of child abuse and neglect. Citizen Review Panels evaluate practices as well as policies and procedures, develop a means for public outreach, and prepare an annual report highlighting panel activities and recommendations to improve child welfare services.
For more information on Citizen Review Panels or to apply to be a panel member please visit the Pennsylvania Child Welfare Training Program’s website at www.pacwcbt.pitt.edu/CAPTA.htm or contact Christine Reese at 717-795-9048. You can also send any questions via email to pacrp@pitt.edu.
Administration for Children & Families
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/laws_policies/policy/pi/pi9909.htm
Department of Public Welfare
http://www.dpw.state.pa.us
National Citizen Review Panel Virtual Community
http://www.uky.edu/SocialWork/crp/resources.htm
National Citizen Review Panel Directory
http://www.uky.edu/SocialWork/crp/files/NationalDirectory.pdf
National Resource Center for Child Protective Services
http://www.nrccps.org/citizen_review_panels/citizen_review_panels.php
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