Citizen Foster Care Review Board

An interested party review is an interactive review that focuses on case plans for the parents and their child and the progress being made to secure permanency for the child. Those involved in IPRs include CFCRB volunteers, parents, care providers, service providers, Department for Community Based Services personnel, Court Appointed Special Advocate volunteers, and the attorneys for the children and their parents. Once the mandatory IPR has been completed, the local CFCRB submits a comprehensive report with findings and recommendations to the judge.

Since the CFCRB adopted IPR in 2007, the number of boards using this interactive review has grown to 89 percent of all cases reviewed, with the goal of transitioning all remaining boards to this interactive model. 

If you have been invited to participate in an interested party review but are unable to attend, please complete the questionnaire that pertains to your role in the child’s case. It is important to submit the questionnaire prior to the IPR meeting so that your input can be considered.

The IPR questionnaires give children in foster care, their parents or guardians, and other interested parties the opportunity to share feedback on how well the child’s needs are being met while in out-of-home care. 

Youth

CFCRB Questionnaire for Youth

Biological Parents & Foster Parents

CFCRB Questionnaire for Biological Parents

CFCRB Questionnaire for Foster Parents

Other Interested Parties

CFCRB Questionnaire for Interested Parties: Guardians ad Litem, Attorneys, Service Providers, CASA Volunteers and Other Interested Parties​​​

Appointing & Training Volunteers

Individuals interested in volunteering must consent to criminal record and Central Registry checks and complete an initial six-hour training session. They are trained on these topics:

• CHFS and Department for Community Based Services procedures
• Court processes                                         
• Dependency, neglect and abuse case forms  
• Process for conducting a review
  
• Motivational interviewing techniques
  
• Mental health issues of children in out-of-home care

Once an individual has completed the background checks and training, a recommendation is made to the chief judge of the local Family Court or District Court for the volunteer to be appointed to the local board. Judges appoint volunteers for three-year terms.

After being appointed, volunteers are kept apprised of opportunities to earn the required six hours of annual continuing education.

Review boards typically meet once a month for at least four hours. Some boards meet all day. Each board has at least three members, with some boards having as many as 10 members.​​