|
State Law
New York State passed legislation to form Citizen Review Panels
in the state in order to be in compliance with the federal Child
Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act Amendments of 1996 (CAPTA).
This legislation establishes at least three citizen review
panels, one for the city of New York and at least two panels outside
the city. The New York City panel consists of five subcommittees
to evaluate the extent to which the state and the social services
district are discharging their child protection responsibilities
within each particular borough. Each panel must meet at least
quarterly.
- Review the policies and procedures of the State and Local
social services districts and, where appropriate, specific cases,
evaluate the extent to which the agencies are effectively discharging
their child protection responsibilities in accordance with
- The state plan
- The child protections standards set in federal law (42 U.S.C.5106a(b);
and (c).
- And any other criteria considered important to the protection
of children.
- Have access to information on specific cases.
- Have reasonable access to public and private facilities providing
child welfare services within their respective jurisdictions
that receive public funds.
- Hold public hearings on issues within their jurisdiction.
- Have access to the report prepared by the state pursuant
to 42 U.S.C. 5106a(d).
- Prepare and make available to the public an annual report
by February 1st, setting forth a summary of the Panel activities
and the findings and recommendations of the Panels.
The New York State Office of Children and Family Services is
to make available resources to support the needs of each citizen
review panel and assist the panel.
Each Panel is to have thirteen members, seven of whom are appointed
by the Governor, three by the temporary President of the Senate
and three by the Speaker of the Assembly. Each Panel is to elect
a chairperson and shall be composed of volunteer members who broadly
represent the communities in which the Panel is established. Panels
shall include members who have expertise in prevention and treatment
of child abuse and neglect. No person employed by Federal, State,
County or Municipal agencies, which directly deliver child welfare
services may be a panel member.
Any Panel member who knowingly discloses any identifying information
about a specific child protection case to any person or governmental
official may be subject to a civil penalty and removal from the
Panel.
|
