Judicial Citizen Review Panel

The Judicial Citizen Review Panel (JCRP) is a program managed by the Georgia Council of Juvenile Court Judges. Its role is to support judges in determining the best permanency plan for children in foster care. Under Georgia law, every child in foster care must have their case reviewed by either a judge or the JCRP every six months. The JCRPs consist of community volunteers who undergo two days of specialized training provided by the Council of Juvenile Court Judges. This training helps them understand the foster care review process. Volunteers must also pass a criminal background check. After completing the training, they are sworn in as officers of the court, tasked with acting in the child’s best interest.

Panel members serve on one of six panels, meeting monthly to review cases of children in foster care. The goal of the panel is to ensure that children are placed in a permanent home as soon as it is safely possible. Panel hearings involve a variety of participants, including:

• Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) caseworkers
• Parents
• Children
• Other family members
• Foster parents
• Service providers
• Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)

During these reviews, panel members assess the progress of the parent or guardian to ensure they are following the court-ordered case plan and receiving necessary services. They also monitor the welfare of the children. The reviews aim to evaluate the progress or lack thereof and provide recommendations to DFCS regarding the case. Additionally, panel members identify community resources that could help strengthen the family and prevent future court involvement. Based on their findings, panel members make recommendations to the judge, who retains the final decision on the case.