FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Apr. 11, 2005
Contact:
Jeff Kasper, (907) 465-8194, cell 321-3158
Citizen Review Panel to hold town hall meeting Apr. 26 in Anchorage, Apr. 27 in Bethel
Third and fourth town hall meetings complete series to gather information on child protection system
( Juneau, Alaska) – The Citizen Review Panel (CRP), as part of the Children’s Justice Act Task Force, will hold the third and fourth in a series of town hall meetings late April. The events will occur on:
Anchorage
Tuesday, Apr. 26 from 6 to 9 p.m.
Wilda Marston Theater at the Loussac LibraryBethel
Wednesday, Apr. 27 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the
Bethel City Hall.
“The main purpose of the town hall meetings is to accept public testimony about Alaska’s child protection system,” said Tammy Sandoval, Acting DHSS Deputy Commissioner of the Office of Children’s Services (OCS). “The meetings are also an opportunity to provide information and education to the community about the child protection system.” From 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. the Citizen Review Panel welcomes comments from professionals, providers and the public. At 8 p.m. there will be a brief presentation by the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, Office of Children’s Services followed by additional time for questions and answers.
“The Citizen Review Panel is hosting these meetings to receive public comment and gather information on how the child protection system is working in communities around the state,” said Virginia Walters, Citizen Review Panel Chair.
The Citizen Review Panel is federally mandated as a requirement of the federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA). The Panel, independent of the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services and Office of Children’s Services, examines the policies, procedures and practices of state and local agencies and, where appropriate, specific cases.
“This Panel evaluates the extent to which State and local child protection system agencies are effectively discharging their child protection responsibilities,” said Walters. “One of our principal responsibilities is to provide the means for public outreach and comment, so that we can assess the effectiveness of current procedures and practices for children and families across the state.”
The Citizen Review Panel will prepare an annual report summarizing its activities, including recommendations to improve the child protection services system at the state and local levels.
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