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What is Citizens Review?
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Volunteer citizens review panels, working in a collaborative effort with the Juvenile Courts and Department of Children and Families, serve as a voice for abused and neglected children in Manatee County. Reviewing cases each month, Panels work with compassion and diligence to help dependent children realize their most basic dream of a safe, stable, and permanent environment in which to live and grow.
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What does a Citizens Review Panel member do?
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Panels are composed of five volunteer members who meet on the same day each month to review cases of children declared dependent by the Court. Panels take testimony from the children, caseworkers, parents, foster parents, Guardians Ad Litem and others, then make recommendations based on their findings from the information presented at the review. Panels hold all agencies and parties responsible for performing tasks approved by the Court. The Judge has the final authority for ordering any additional tasks, or modifying the conditions of the placement.
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How much time is required to serve on the Citizens Review Panel?
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30 hours of training including on-site panel observation are required before a panel member may serve on a panel. Volunteers are asked to commit to a two-year period of service. After training, panel members typically spend 2-4 hours reading information about the cases that they are to review prior to holding the hearings. Each panel holds hearings ½ day per month.
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What training is required to serve on the Citizens Review Panel?
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Various local experts in the fields of child abuse and neglect, child development, foster care and child welfare laws provide training so that panel members receive the facts and technical knowledge that are essential to conducting good reviews. In addition, actual panel and Court reviews are observed before a volunteer is assigned to a panel. Six hours of continuing education per year is required; ongoing training is provided at volunteer meetings held monthly.
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Where do Citizens Review Panels meet?
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Citizens Review Panel Hearings are held in the Courtrooms at the Manatee County Courthouse.
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How do I become a Citizens Review volunteer?
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1. Complete an application
2. Provide three personal references
3. Successfully complete a background screening
4. Complete an interview
5. Attend all scheduled training
6. Observe a working Panel and Court hearings
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How is the Citizens Review Panel program funded?
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The Manatee County Children's Services tax provides funding for Manatee County Citizens Review.
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