Citizen Review Panel for Child Abuse and Neglect

Total public members:                   8

Method of Appointment:                Appointed by Mayor

Length of Appointment:                 3 years

Residency:                                    Strong preference for DC residents from all 8 wards

Paid board:                                    No (all roles are voluntary)

Description:

The Citizen Review Panel, serves as an external, independent oversight body for the District ’s child welfare system, evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of District government agencies involved in child protection as well as neighborhood-based services provided by vendors. The Panel shall examine the policies, practices, and procedures of the Agency and any other District government agency that provides services to children at risk of abuse and neglect, or to children under the care of the Agency, including, as appropriate, the review of specific child cases.  Based on this examination, the Panel shall evaluate the extent to which agencies serving children at risk of abuse or neglect, or children under the care of the Agency, are effectively discharging their child protection responsibilities.

Qualifications:

Eight members are appointed by the Mayor. No more than 2 members appointed by the Mayor shall serve as an officer, director, partner, employee, consultant, or contractor with an organization that provides services to the Agency. There shall be a diversity of professional backgrounds on the panel, such as children’s attorneys, child advocates, parents, foster parents, and other consumer representatives, social workers, educators, and health and mental health professionals who are familiar with the child welfare system.

Time Commitment:

The Commission meets quarterly.