Iowa’s Citizen Foster Care Review Boards (ICFCRB or FCRB) provide independent third-party citizen review of cases in the foster care system.
About FCRB
Through joint efforts of citizens, the legislature, and the governor, the FCRB program was signed into law in July 1984. Not all counties in Iowa have a review board; some counties have more than one active board, and some boards review cases from multiple counties.
Local boards meet monthly or bi-monthly to review the status of children who have been removed from parental custody. The FCRB serves as a less formal forum to hear about the progress or challenges being encountered and to suggest recommendations from trained and invested citizens with a variety of life experiences to draw from. The review process identifies systemic barriers to achieving timely permanency. The FCRB provides an opportunity for ordinary Iowa citizens to use their collective talents to positively affect the lives of children and families.
Volunteer Qualifications
FCRB volunteers have an interest in child welfare in their communities. They come from all walks of life, representing various socioeconomic, racial, and ethnic groups and occupations. If you want to participate as a volunteer, you must meet these qualifications:
Persons age 21 and older can apply to serve.
Ability to maintain confidentiality, assess written and verbal communication, be objective and effectively communicate with persons who attend foster care reviews.
Ability to work as a team to formulate findings and recommendations.
Volunteers must be able to commit to a four-year term.
Pass criminal and background checks.
FCRB Volunteer
Volunteer with FCRB
Make a difference in the lives of Iowa children and join the Foster Care Review Board.
All FCRB volunteers are provided with an initial 15-hour training, which includes information regarding applicable laws, organizational information, and observing a local review board in action. All new FCRB volunteers join a board of seasoned volunteers who provide guidance as the new volunteers learn the role of board member. In addition, a facilitator attends every child’s review to assist the FCRB and to write the report to the Court.
Continuous learning opportunities are also provided so that the volunteer is kept up to date with current social work practice, new services and laws, and other topics of interest. In addition to the facilitator, all boards are supported by a local program coordinator and support staff who are available to answer questions, to provide for needed ongoing training, and to act as liaisons among the boards and the Court, HHS social work staff, and other entities.
Volunteer Meetings
The FCRB time commitment consists of one daytime meeting per month or every other month and time spent reading case files in preparation for the meeting day.
Apply to Volunteer
Submit an application with three references.
Consent to background checks.
Participate in an interview with the local coordinator.
Complete Pre-Service Training:
Observe a Local Board
Module 1: Personal Study - Introduction to FCRB
Module 2: Introduction to Child Welfare
Module 3: FCRB Process
Security Awareness Training
Sign the Oath of Confidentiality with local judge.
FCRB Frequently Asked Questions
FCRB volunteers average approximately 10 hours per month reading case documents and attending the monthly meeting.
This varies considerably, depending on the number of children who are scheduled to be reviewed in a given month. During the first six months, additional time is generally needed to become acquainted with the specific cases of the children assigned to the board. However, once a volunteer becomes familiar with a case, subsequent reviews require only being updated.
Each FCRB volunteer is assigned to an existing board, which meets on a specific day and location each month (e.g. second Tuesday at a local church). The meetings take place during the day, generally starting at 9:00 am and continuing until the agenda is completed, but rarely past 4:00 pm. Some FCRB meetings are scheduled for half days, depending on the number of children needing a review. Agendas are distributed at least 30 days prior to the meeting, so volunteers know well in advance the length of their next meeting. In addition to the actual meeting time, volunteers spend time on their own preparing for the meeting by reading the confidential documents that are provided, such as court orders, social histories and case plans.
There are five to seven volunteer members on each board, with a chair and vice chair designated. A staff person facilitates each board. There must be three board members present to have a quorum.
The Iowa Code lists the people to be notified. Invitations are sent to the child (age 14 and older), parents, placement, HHS social work case manager, service providers, guardian ad litem, child’s attorney, parents' attorneys, and the county attorney. We encourage attendance, because participation by all parties leads to a more rounded discussion and is helpful as we make findings and recommendations.
The number of children selected is dependent on the resources available to the specific county or cluster of counties. If all children cannot be reviewed, selection criteria have been developed in consultation with the judges and the Health and Human Services (HHS).
During the average 40 minutes allowed for the review, the focus will be on the progress being made on the issues of concern raised in the Case Permanency Plan. Each person present will be offered the opportunity to address any or all of the listed concerns. At the conclusion of the review, the Board will make findings and recommendations for the child’s best interest related to safety, permanency and well-being.
The FCRB reports, with recommendations, are sent to the juvenile court judge. Copies of the report are also sent to the parents, the foster parents, counselors, attorneys, the supervising agency, and other appropriate interested parties. The juvenile court judge will review the report and take into consideration the recommendations at the time of the next court hearing on the case. The FCRB makes recommendations that are advisory only.
The child's case no longer requires a review when the child: is successfully returned to live with the parent(s); is adopted; has reached the age of 18 or when the court relieves the FCRB of the responsibility or dismisses the case.
During the average 40 minutes allowed for the review, the focus will be on the progress being made on the issues of concern raised in the Case Permanency Plan. Each person present will be offered the opportunity to address any or all of the listed concerns. At the conclusion of the review, the Board will make findings and recommendations for the child’s best interest related to safety, permanency and well-being.
Be sure to attend any court hearings concerning the child, contact your attorney, and make your opinions known.
Friends of Iowa CASA and ICFCRB is a non-profit agency that partners with the Child Advocacy Board to promote and support volunteer advocacy for abused and neglected children and public awareness of the importance of safe and permanent homes for all children. Donations to Friends of Iowa CASA and ICFCRB are tax deductible and are used to support the recruitment, training and ongoing support and recognition of volunteers in the Iowa CASA and FCRB programs.
