Since 1991, over 800 citizen volunteers have been sworn in to serve as Judicial Citizen Review panel members in DeKalb County. Our volunteers represent a cross-section of various racial, socio-economic, religious and educational sectors of a community. Volunteers receive 15 hours of specialized training from the staff of the Council of Juvenile Court Judges and then become sworn officers of the court.
To date, we have approximately 125 active volunteers who serve on 16 different panels. Each panel meets once per month at DeKalb County Juvenile Court to review cases of children in care. Each case must be reviewed by the panel members twice per year. Citizen’s Panel assists judges in determining the most appropriate permanency plan; track the progress every six months in between judicial reviews; measure parent compliance with the case plan and monitor the wellbeing of each child; engage with the family in an informal multi-disciplinary setting where everyone has an opportunity to speak; and, provide resources to families or children that may reduce barriers to reunification and/or available services.
Volunteer Eligibility: Reside or work in DeKalb County, attend orientation and training, ability to be unbiased and non-judgmental, pass background check, and ability to commit to panel dates.
Services Provided: Volunteer hours
For more information contact Olivia Rudder Wilson, JPA at 404-294-2738 or [email protected]
