Foster Care Citizen Review Board

Description

The Foster Care Citizen Review Board (FCCRB) was established in 1989 by the Washington State Legislature to function in an advisory capacity to the Judiciary, the Department of Social and Health Services and the Legislature and, specifically, to provide periodic case review to children in foster care and to offer committed members of the community a way to contribute to the welfare of children in substitute care in the State of Washington. The board assembles to learn the reasons a child has been placed in dependency and exactly what is being done to reunify the family. They will scrutinize the adjustment of a child in care, their relative health and well being and what efforts the Department of Social and Health Services or other agency has undertaken to achieve permanency for the child to ensure that the child does not stay in foster care any longer than is absolutely necessary. The board will also closely examine the parents compliance with court orders and agency requirements for reunification. At the close of the review, the board will make advisory recommendations regarding permanency for the child that address reunification of the family or guardianship/adoption based upon information presented during the review and from information contained in the child's case file. FCCRB recommendations are read aloud at the end of the review, approved by the board, and are submitted to the Superior Court Judge in the form of a written report. A copy of the report will is forwarded to all legal parties. The final decision in all dependency cases remains with the Superior Court Judge hearing the case. Membership on the Foster Care Citizen Review Board is as follows. Members must: Be available to sit on the board on a Monday, Tuesday or Thursday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. a minimum of 1 (one) time per month Be a resident of Snohomish County over the age of 18 years Not have had involvement in a CPS case in the past 36 (thirty-six) months (not limited to Snohomish County) Complete a background check through the U.S. Marshal Complete the CASA/Volunteer Guardian ad Litem Training to familiarize him or herself with the dependency process (at no cost to the volunteer) Be able to maintain objectivity during the interview process and treat all participants with professional consideration regardless of the facts of the case. MEMBER OF NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FOSTER CARE REVIEWERS