Questions  

1. What is the Citizen Review Panel?
2. What are the goals of the Citizens Review program?
3. What do the panels review? 
4. How can I obtain information from the reviews?
5. How can I provide comments on Arizona’s Child Protective Services?

What is the Citizen Review Panel?

In 1996, the U. S. Congress amended the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) requiring states to establish Citizen Review Panels. The federal statute requires that Citizen Review Panels evaluate the extent to which the state and local agencies are effectively discharging their child protection responsibilities.

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What are the goals of the Citizens Review program?

The goal of the program is to improve the safety and well being of Arizona children and their families through assessment of the child protection system in Arizona and development of recommendations for its continuous improvement.

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What do the panels review? 

Arizona maintains three panels, which are located in Maricopa, Pima, and Yavapai counties. These panels provide coverage of all counties in Arizona. Reports of fatalities and near fatalities due to maltreatment, and other high-risk reports of maltreatment are the focus of case record reviews. In addition to Child Protective Services’ records and case files, data reports, policies, and procedures, panels also review state and federal legislation.

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How can I obtain information from the reviews?

The Citizen Review State Panel prepares an annual report of finding and recommendations, by December 31st of each year. This report is available on the Child Fatality Review/Citizen Review Panel website.

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How can I provide comments on Arizona’s Child Protective Services?

The Citizen Review Panel welcomes public comment on Arizona’s Child Protective Services. Comments assist the panels in assessment of the impact of current procedures and practices upon children and families in the community. Comments may be made by email to newbers@azdhs.gov or by mail to Citizen Review Panel, 150 N. 18th Avenue Suite 320, Phoenix, AZ 85007.

Any questions or concerns requiring intervention on a specific case should be referred to: 

- Arizona Ombudsman’s/Citizen Aide Office at 1-800-872-2879 or through email to: ombuds@azoca.org, or
- The DES Family Advocacy Office at 1-877-527-0765.