The primary role of FCRB is to advise the juvenile court on progress toward achieving a permanent home for a child involved in a dependency action and in out-of-home placement. The FCRB is required to report its findings to the court within 30 days of a review.
The FCRB is mandated to make determinations in four key areas:
* Safety, necessity and appropriateness of placement;
* Case plan compliance;
* Progress toward mitigating the need for foster care; and
* A likely target date by which the child may be returned home or placed for adoption or permanent guardianship.
The FCRB is always concerned with what is in the best interest of the child involved in the case. The FCRB also assesses whether “reasonable efforts” leading to permanency are being made by the supervising child welfare agency, primarily Child Protective Services.
The Role of the Volunteer
Volunteers are appointed by the presiding juvenile court judge in the county to fill vacancies on the five-member boards, each serving a maximum of a three-year term. New board member orientation and on-going training are provided to volunteers.
Each volunteer is assigned to one review board which meets for approximately eight hours one weekday, a maximum of 12 times per year (some rural boards meet less). Additionally, volunteers must be able to commit approximately five hours at home reviewing case information in preparation for the case review.
Review board members are not paid, however, they are eligible for reimbursement for mileage and meal reimbursement according to state regulations.
Removal Review Teams
In last few years legislation has expanded the role for Foster Care Review Board volunteers by requiring that they now participate on the Department of Economic Security (DES)/Administration of Children, Youth and Families Removal Review Team and Case Conference.
DES must review the case of each child that they remove from the care of their biological parents, legal guardian or custodian prior to the dependency petition being filed.
The team includes the investigating case manager, the case manager supervisor, and an assistant program manager from the agency, two FCRB members and may include a physician for a child with a medical need or chronic illness.
The removal review team assesses options other than continued out-of-home placement including in-home services to the family.
The role as an FCRB volunteer dramatically differs as a member of the removal review team. Questions asked will concern removal rather than long-term case management issues.
You will also be required to complete a pre-screening application and submit it with your Volunteer Application to the FCRB
Pre-Screening Application
For more information on volunteer opportunities in the follow counties:
Apache Mohave
Coconino Navajo Yavapai
La Paz
Maricopa
Foster Care Review Board
Dependent Children’s Services Division
1501 W. Washington, Suite 128
Phoenix, 85007
602-452-3400 or 1-866-320-1959 (toll free)
For more information on volunteer opportunities in the follow counties:
Cochise Pinal Yuma
Greenlee Pima Gila
Graham Santa Cruz
Foster Care Review Board
Dependent Children’s Services Division
400 W. Congress, Suite 341
Tucson, AZ 85701
520-388-4300 or 1-866-558-1791 (toll free)