Special to The Post-Searchlight

The Judicial Citizen Review Program is a program of the Council of Juvenile Court Judges. It is a program designed to assist the court in determining what is the most appropriate permanency plan for children in foster care. Panel members are trained by council staff and become sworn officers of the court to act in the best interest of the child. Juvenile Judge Edwin Perry appoints panel members.

Judicial citizen review panels work closely with the Department of Family and Children Services, parents, and children, when appropriate, to review the case plan for the reunification of the family, if possible, so the child can be returned to his or her family as soon as possible.

To become a panel member, an initial two-day training session is required. The next training session will be held on April 3 and April 4. Panel members will be asked to attend at least two panel reviews every year. At this time, the reviews for Decatur County are scheduled for the fourth Thursday of every month. These reviews are held in the Sheriff’s Department courtroom and usually begin at 9 a.m. and, in most cases, conclude by noon.

For further information on becoming involved in this program, please contact Chan Edmunds at (229) 400-0981.