REGION IV CITIZEN REVIEW PANEL

Thank you for your interest in the Region IV Citizen Review Panel. Region IV serves Ada, Boise, Elmore, and Valley Counties.

In 1995, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare organized Citizen Review Panels in each of its seven regions to examine how Idaho’s Child Protection System worked and to make recommendations for improving the system.  In 2018, the Idaho Legislature amended Idaho Code to transition oversight of the Citizen Review Panels to the seven local public health districts. The Citizen Review Panels are comprised of up to seven volunteers that reside within the boundaries of the public health district.  Each Citizen Review Panel is tasked with reviewing all cases brought under the Child Protective Act that have been open in the corresponding district court, or other appropriate local jurisdiction, longer than 120 days.

Members of the Region IV Citizen Review Panel are volunteers, with diverse backgrounds, that represent their respective communities. CRP members demonstrate a strong motivation to improve the lives of children through a systems-change lens.

Panel participants undergo an application and interview process and must pass an enhanced criminal background check. Members are asked to complete this online training: SWDH – CRP Training

Please contact R4CRP@cdh.idaho.gov, for any questions. For more information: R4CRP Information 

The Panel is accepting applicants from all individuals with an interest in improving the child welfare system.
The Panel will prioritize applicants with lived experience. This includes but is not limited to: law enforcement, former foster youth, biological parents with protective services involvement, guardians, and individuals participating in kinship care.  The Panel has active representation from foster and foster-to-adoptive parents, and is looking for individuals with other forms of  lived experience. This applicant will not be required to complete case reviews, and with reviews being addressed on a case by case basis.

The Region IV Citizen Review Panel seeks people from all walks of life with varying levels of experience. The goal is to create a diverse panel of volunteers with an interest in the welfare of children and families. Panel members are representative of the community and may include members who provide expertise in the prevention and treatment of child abuse and neglect. Members may include adults who are former victims of child abuse or neglect, former or current foster parents, and/or former foster youth.

Participation on the Citizen Review Panel will require individuals with an ability to maintain confidentiality and cope with sensitive and emotional cases. All participants must pass an enhanced background check conducted by the State of Idaho.

Individuals will need to attend monthly Citizen Review Panel meetings. Meetings are currently held the first Tuesday of every month from 4:00pm to 6:00pm at CDH. Panel members are required to attend trainings, including mandatory Idaho Supreme Court training.  Voluntary members of the Region IV Citizen Review Panel can expect their monthly time commitment to be a minimum of 7 hours per month.

The following questions are used to select a local panel that is representative of the community with diverse backgrounds. Please take your time to thoroughly complete this application.

R4CRP Public Testimony Sign-Up – Тра 2024
Share your thoughts, experiences, and perspectives on the Idaho child welfare system.

ISC – Child Protection
Legislature – Child Protection Legislative Oversight
CANTASD – A service of the Children’s Bureau
Child Welfare
HHS – CAPTA Citizen Review Panels 101