An overview of the New York State Citizens Review Panels for Child Protective Services

June 20, 8:27 PMAlbany CPS and Family Court ExaminerDaniel Weaver

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Most New Yorkers are unaware that there are three New York State Citizens Review Panels for Child Protective Services.

One panel covers New York City, a second covers eastern New York and the third covers western New York. Each panel has thirteen appointed but volunteer members. Members  include educators, social workers, child advocates, lawyers and mental health workers. The panels are authorized by law to examine and evaluate the many child protective services units throughout New York State.

Rarely do the panel members look into individual cases, although they are authorized to do so and can if necessary. Their primary function is to see if the many child protective services units are properly performing their duties as defined by law.

Each committee holds public hearings three times a year, and the joint panel meets twice a year.

The committee welcomes comments from the public. You can attend the hearings or you can send your comments to the committee by email or regular mail.

If you want to comment about Child Protective Services by email, send your comments to dmastin@scaany.org. If you wish to send your comments by regular mail, address them to:

New York Citizen Review Panels
c/o Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy
150 State Street
4th Floor
Albany, NY 12207

The Citizen Review Panels cautions that comments about specific cases should first go through your local social services agency and then New York State Office of Family and Children Services.

The Citizen Review Panels makes the minutes of their meetings and annual reports available on the internet. Other resources and links for people who are interested in child welfare and child protective services are also available.