Maryland Citizens Review Board For Children

CRBC Mission Statement

To conduct case reviews of children in out-of-home care, make timely individual case and systemic recommendations; and advocate for legislative and systematic child welfare improvements to promote safety and permanency. CRBCS Vision Statement We envision the protection of all children from abuse and neglect, only placing children in out-of-home care when necessary; and providing families the help they need to stay intact; children will be safe in a permanent living arrangement. History The Foster Care Review Board was started in 1978 to provide needed advocacy, oversight, and improvement in child welfare in the State of Maryland. In 1999 legislation was enacted to establish a system of citizen review panels for oversight of child protective agencies in Maryland. The name of the agency was changed to the Citizens Review Board for Children and extended the purview of the State Board beyond the out of home placement system to the entire child welfare system.

The Citizens Review Board for Children (CRBC) supports all efforts to provide permanence for children in foster care. This state board provides oversight to Maryland’s child protection agencies and trains volunteer citizen panels to aid in child protection efforts. Our governor appointed volunteers review out-of-home cases of children in the public foster care systems. CRBC, Department of Human Resources, and Social Services Administration will work collaboratively to facilitate the review of cases and to ensure that adequate case and court documents are provided within stated time frames.