There was a time not so long ago when a cow had more rights than a child. The nation’s first anti-cruelty laws protected animals, not children. Based on precepts dating to the Middle Ages and before, society treated children as little more than their parents’ property until the late 19th century.
The first help for abused and neglected children came from charitable organizations. The New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, founded in 1874, was the first child protection organization in the world. By the 1920’s, there were about 250 like organizations spread across the United States (New York State Citizen Review Panels for Child Protection Services).
Child welfare advocates have long been interested in prompting public bureaucracies to become more responsive to citizen participation in decision-making processes to social services and income support systems for needy children. The interest in promoting greater citizen involvement in programs and policies associated to the well being of children is based on policy goals related to pragmatic and community-focused objectives. It is pragmatic because it provides a mechanism for helping to ensure that state agencies are accountable to families and communities.
In 1996, the U.S. Congress passed legislation mandating Citizen Review Panels (CRP) for child protective services in all states. These panels are composed of citizen-volunteers who are charged with evaluating state child welfare systems and making suggestions for improvement. The expectations of the CRP include:
Examining the policies and procedures of state and local agencies
- Type and extent of social services available for children and families
- Relationships among agencies (courts, law enforcement, schools)
- State standards relative to information on what works and what does not work
In other words, the participants are to fully understand how policies, staff, management, and operations impact child services in the state and at the community level.
According to the Mississippi State Level Citizens Review Board, members shall consist of no less than ten and no more than eighteen members. Panel membership is required to be comprised of a balance of (1) providers of services to abused and neglected children and families, including adoption services, and (2) local citizens, including consumers of services of the Child Protective Services system such as foster parents, former foster children, adoptive parents, and parents, as well as interested business and civic representatives, educators and members of the community at large.
For additional information call 1-800-345-6347 or contact Administration/Prevention Unit at (601) 359-4255 or email mdhs.ms.gov
