In Arizona, a volunteer-based program reviews the cases of children in the state’s foster care system – and that program is looking for two volunteers in Gila County.

The Foster Care Review Board (FCRB), part of the Arizona Supreme Court’s Dependent Children’s Services Division, has around 108 boards – two of them in Gila County - and 540 dedicated volunteer positions throughout the state. Each board consists of five citizens from its community.

A board holds virtual meetings to review the cases of children who are subject to a dependency court action. The board makes recommendations regarding services and permanency options to the Juvenile Court and interested parties in a case. Until permanency is achieved, a board reviews the same cases every six months. As children return home, are adopted, have guardianship granted or age out of the foster care system, new cases are added to the board’s review day. Board member Cindy Cothrun said review days are currently held every other month but that depending on caseload they could return to monthly meetings. She said that on a review day the board could take up anywhere from 8 to 12 cases. Currently, the county’s two boards review the cases of about 94 children.

As they review cases, board members ask questions to clarify and corroborate information. Review day also gives interested parties in a case – biological parents, foster parents, case managers, attorneys, counselors, licensing workers and Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) – a chance to speak about their concerns, successes, wants and needs. A FCRB staff member prepares a written report detailing interested parties’ statements and board recommendations. This report is forwarded to Juvenile Court and mailed to all interested parties in the case.

“It’s a great program,” said Cothrun, who has served as a CASA volunteer and recently began her second three-year term on the board. “I really like the structure of it, being able to listen to case workers and families on how the foster children are doing, and to make recommendations and suggestions – to know these children are being taken care of. It’s also nice when you see parents who are able to reunite with their children, because it’s hard work.”

The FCRB currently needs two volunteers to serve on Gila County’s boards. Board members are appointed to three-year terms by the Presiding Judge of Gila County’s Juvenile Court, and can request reappointment when their term ends. Volunteers receive training, which can be done online, and participate in continuing education opportunities. “It helps us understand how the programs work,” said Cothrun. “There are different programs for different age groups.”

To become a volunteer, you must be available for review days, be at least 21 years old and be able to pass a fingerprint background check. To volunteer for the FCRB, request an application at www.AZFCRB.org.

Another way to get involved is through the CASA program, where volunteers are appointed by the Court to advocate for a specific child with whom they are paired. To learn more about becoming a CASA volunteer, visit www.AZCASAVolunteer.org.