of Foster Care Review Boardis a volunteer program established in 1978 under the Arizona Supreme Court to recruit volunteers.
Volunteers are responsible for analyzing foster child cases involving addictive behavior or out-of-home placement and discussing them at monthly board meetings via Zoom until permanentization is achieved.
“Somebody needs to make sure these children become permanent rather than suffering in long-term foster care,” said Luann, a retired pediatric nurse and current member of the Pima County Board of Review. Waldron said.
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There are approximately 108 commissions in the state, 24 of which are in Pima County.
Pima County is currently investigating about 2,400 cases and desperately needs more volunteers.
One week prior to the meeting, Board members will receive relevant documents and materials, including information on child cases, through the website.
“I spend eight to ten hours the week before a meeting reviewing cases,” says Waldron.
Monthly board meetings are conducted by Foster Care Review Board program specialists, and each stakeholder is able to speak on an individual case. The Board then makes a collective decision. A written report will be filed with the juvenile court regarding your child’s permanent residence option.
When Waldron first started volunteering on the board 31 years ago, she said, “She always thought it was weird because sometimes there were teenagers in 23 foster homes. I thought I needed to do something,” he explained.
Volunteers must be 21 years of age or older and pass a background check. They must also complete annual in-service training, including attending conferences and workshops, giving community presentations, and reading relevant books and documentaries.application is their website.
A board member, who requested anonymity, explained that anyone with a background in counseling, family studies, family law, law enforcement, education, or medical care would be best suited for a board position.
“I can’t do this job because I have to be very critical if I can’t even get my head around physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, and abandonment of a 3-year-old.” she said.
