FRANKFORT, Ky., Nov. 19, 2025 – With volunteer numbers critically low in 38 eastern Kentucky counties, Citizen Foster Care Review Boards are calling for immediate community support to help review the cases of children in foster care. CFCRB volunteers provide essential oversight and recommendations that directly impact a child’s safety, well-being and permanency.
Volunteers are needed statewide, but the following counties are in dire need: Bath, Boyd, Bracken, Breathitt, Carter, Clay, Elliott, Estill, Fleming, Floyd, Greenup, Harrison, Johnson, Knott, Laurel, Lawrence, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Lewis, Madison, Magoffin, Martin, Mason, McCreary, Menifee, Montgomery, Morgan, Nicholas, Owsley, Perry, Pike, Powell, Robertson, Rockcastle, Rowan, Whitley, and Wolfe counties
“The resilient residents of Eastern Kentucky have always stood strong and united as they faced natural disasters, reductions in the coal industry and employment, as well as limited access to affordable housing and childcare,” said CFCRB State Chair Rosalyn O. Patton-Pelt. “Overwhelming barriers like these affects all of us but especially have a significant impact on the most vulnerable: our children. The CFCRB needs the heart and compassion of Eastern Kentuckians to help ensure the safety and wellbeing of children experiencing out-of-home care.
“In these uncertain times, it is most critical that service to others is at the forefront. We need each other to stay encouraged, and volunteers like you, to stand up and be a voice for those who are not heard, and many times, not seen.”
Learn more about how to volunteer in a brief video at https://kcoj.info/CFCRBVideo.
Thousands of children are placed in foster and other out-of-home care each year in the commonwealth. CFCRBs are teams of court-appointed volunteers who conduct interactive reviews on the children’s cases and make recommendations to the Cabinet for Health and Family Services and state courts for each child. Boards recommend services to help children and advocate for placing children in safe, permanent homes as soon as possible, whether with their parents, other relatives or an adoptive family. The CHFS oversees the state foster care program.
Volunteers generally review cases one day a month. Potential volunteers are required to apply, consent to criminal record and Central Registry checks and complete six hours of initial training. The training includes two sessions held via Zoom and two self-study webinars. Those interested are encouraged to apply as soon as possible so they can be screened and, if approved, scheduled for training.
To apply and get more information, visit https://kcoj.info/CFCRBVolunteer. A CFCRB recruitment flyer is available at https://kcoj.info/CFCRBrecruitflyer to be shared in communities.
Citizen Foster Care Review Board
The Kentucky General Assembly created the state CFCRB in 1982 to decrease children’s time in out-of-home care.
More than 700 dedicated volunteers across the state serve as members of the Kentucky CFCRB. The average length of service is six years, demonstrating a long-term commitment to children in need.
CFCRBs review each child’s case in foster care at least once every six months as required by statute. In fiscal year 2024, volunteers reviewed 19,565 cases involving 11,301 children in out-of-home care. Learn more at https://kcoj.info/CFCRB2024.
Administrative Office of the Courts
The Administrative Office of the Courts administers the CFCRB program. The AOC is the operations arm for the state court system and supports the activities of nearly 3,300 employees and 412 elected justices, judges and circuit court clerks. As the fiscal agent for the state court system, the AOC executes the Judicial Branch budget.
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