Effects of a Citizens Review Panel in Preventing Child Maltreatment Fatalities

• NCJ Number: 231057
• Journal: Child Abuse and Neglect Volume: 34 Issue: 5 Dated: May 2010 Pages: 324-331
• Author(s): Vincent J. Palusci; Steve Yager; Theresa M. Covington
• Date Published: May 2010
• Length: 8 pages
• Grant Number(s): U81/CCU520883
• Sponsoring Agency: Ctr's for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); Michigan Dept of Human Services
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study evaluated the effectiveness of Citizen Review Panels (CRPs) in preventing child maltreatment fatalities and improving child welfare systems.

Abstract

Study results indicate a causal relationship exists between Citizen Review Panel (CRP) review and decreases in child maltreatment fatality, suggesting promising outcomes after CRP review. CRPs first required in 1996 for States as part of reauthorization of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) are constituted expressly for the purpose of reviewing deaths of children known to the governmental child protective services agency. CRPs are charged with making recommendations primarily to that agency within the child welfare system. The purpose of this study was to identify the number of child deaths and problem areas in the State child welfare system during 6 years of review and any specific changes in child welfare law, policy, and practice that could be associated with fewer child maltreatment deaths. Tables and references