State: Mississippi
Contact Person: Tricia Shannon, Mississippi Department of Human Services, Division of Family and Children's Services
Contact Address: 750 North State Street, Jackson, MS 39201
Contact Phone: 601-359-4999
Email: pshannon@mdhs.state.ms.us
URL: www.mdhs.state.ms.us/fcs_citizen.htm
Founded In: Citizen Review Panels were required to be in place by July of 1999.
Funding:
Brief Description: The Mississippi Citizen Review Panel is charged with evaluating state child welfare systems and making suggestions for improvement. This Panel is interested in promoting greater citizen involvement in programs and policies associated to the well being of children which is based on policy goals related to pragmatic and community-focused objectives.
Panel membership is comprised of (1) providers of services to abused and neglected children and families, and (2) local citizens, including consumers of the Child Protective Services system such as foster parents, former foster children, adoptive parents, parents, interested business and civic representatives, educators, and members of the community at large.
Annual Report submitted: June 30
Sample of Current Work Projects/Focus
Total Members: No less than ten (10) members and no more than eighteen (18) members.
Other Information: The Division of Family and Children’s Services is the central location for the Citizen Review Panel for Mississippi. The Citizen Review Panel continues to assist this agency forward as its goals to provide Safety, Permanency, and Well-Being for the children in the State of Mississippi are needed.
