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Since 1997, Manatee County Citizens Review Program has been reviewing cases of abused, neglected, and abandoned children to keep them safe and receiving needed services.

As a panel, community volunteers review pertinent court records and meet with all involved in a Judicial Review hearing. After making a finding of facts, they submit recommendations to the Judge as to whether the child is safely placed and recommend any needed services that have been overlooked. When the Judge signs the recommendations in agreement, everyone is held accountable.

Volunteer Information

Roles and Responsibilities

  • For ½ a day each month, panel members meet to review cases of dependent children. View Citizens Review calendar.
  • During the review, panels ask questions and take testimony from the children, parents, foster parents, caseworkers, Guardian ad Litem, and others. 
  • The panel members determine if the children are safely placed and if their physical, emotional, educational needs are being met and if the parents are working to correct the abuse or neglect that required the children’s removal. 
  • Panel members then make recommendations to the Juvenile Court Judge based on their findings.
  • Panels hold all agencies and parties accountable for performing the tasks approved by the Court.  

How to become a Panel Volunteer

  • Complete and return the application 
  • Successfully complete a background screening
  • Complete an interview with the program Supervisor.
  • Attend all scheduled training
  • Observe a working Panel and observe Juvenile Dependency Court
  • Be sworn-in to service by the Judge  

Time Commitments and Training

  • Each Panel holds Judicial Review hearings ½ each month
  • Each month, panel members typically spend 2-4 hours reading case information prior to the review
  • Volunteers are asked to commit to a two (2) year period of service
  • 24 hours of training and on-site observation is required
  • Six (6) hours of ongoing training is required annually. The Program provides annual training hour opportunities.

Contact Information

Phone Number: (941) 741-4037
E-mail: Jan Schnering Program Supervisor
View Frequently asked Questions 

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