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Foster Care Review Program
The Foster Care Review Board Program (FCRBP) is a system of third-party review initially established by Public Act 422 of 1984, and most recently amended in Public Act 170 of 1997. The program was established by the Legislature to help ensure safe and timely permanency for children in the state foster care system. The program is administered by the State Court Administrative Office of the Michigan Supreme Court and is comprised of citizen volunteers who serve on one of 30 local review boards throughout the state.
Boards meet once a month to review both randomly selected and requested cases of children presently in the state foster care system. Upon review of the case, county boards are authorized and expected to provide an objective perspective regarding the child’s safety and care, as well as the appropriateness and timeliness of the court-approved permanency plan. Written findings and related recommendations are forwarded to the applicable court, to the local Department of Human Services and contract agencies, and to other parties directly involved in the case.
New volunteers participate in an initial orientation, and all board members participate in an annual training on policies and issues related to foster care. There are presently more than 180 dedicated and well-trained citizen volunteers who donate more than 21,000 hours annually to help promote the safety and well-being of Michigan’s most vulnerable children.
A statewide advisory committee, required by statute, includes leaders from the child welfare community. The committee assures that the FCRBP fulfills its statutory mandate and provides maximum benefit to the foster care system with the resources provided.
State statute also requires publication of an annual report to the Michigan Legislature and Governor. The annual report details the efforts of the FCRBP and shares with Michigan policymakers some of the issues that citizen volunteers identify as they review foster care cases from throughout the state. Systemic issues that delay permanency or compromise child and family well-being are highlighted and analyzed in the report with related recommendations.
Primary services include:
- Reviewing randomly selected and requested cases of children in the state foster care system
- Conducting appeals by foster parents of children being replaced by the foster care agency
- Providing information and referrals regarding foster care programs and services to the general public.
- Publishing an annual report, with related recommendations to the Legislature and Governor regarding critical needs in the state foster care system.
- Advocating for essential improvements in the delivery of local and statewide foster care services with key policymakers and funding providers.
Program Resources and Information:
Child Welfare Awards
Nomination forms are now available:
Jurist of the Year - FCRB 16a
Foster Care Worker of the Year - FCRB 16b
LGAL of the Year - FCRB 16c
Deadline for submission is September 18, 2009. Recipients of all awards will be recognized at the FCRB Annual Training conferencein early November.
Staff and Contact Information
Detroit OfficeFoster
Care Review Board Program
State Court Administrative Office
Cadillac Place
3034 West Grand Blvd, Suite 8-400
Detroit, MI 48202
(313) 972-3280
FAX (313) 972-3289
James Novell, Program Manager
Brenda Baker Mbacke', Program Representative
Jeanette Bridges, Program Representative
Kathy Falconello, Administrative Assistant
Earlester Monroe, Program Assistant
Jacqueline Poindexter, Office Assistant
Counties Served:
Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Genesee, Hillsdale, Ingham, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kent, Lenawee, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, Saginaw, Tuscola, Washtenaw, Wayne
Gaylord Office
Foster Care Review Board Program
State Court Administrative Office
400 West Main St, Suite 113
PO Box 9
Gaylord, MI 49735
(989) 732-0494
FAX (989) 731-4538
Kevin Sherman, Program Representative
Kelly Jencks, Program Assistant
Counties Served:
Alcona, Alger, Allegan, Alpena, Antrim, Arenac, Baraga, Barry, Bay, Benzie, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Chippewa, Clare, Clinton, Crawford, Delta, Dickinson, Eaton, Emmet, Gladwin, Gogebic, Grand Traverse, Gratiot, Houghton, Huron, Ionia, Iosco, Iron, Isabella, Kalkaska, Keweenaw, Lake, Lapeer, Leelanau, Luce, Mackinac, Manistee, Marquette, Mason, Mecosta, Menominee, Midland, Missaukee, Montcalm, Montmorency, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Ogemaw. Ontonagon, Osceola, Oscoda, Otsego, Ottawa, Presque Isle, Roscommon, Sanilac, Schoolcraft, Shiawassee, St. Clair, St. Joseph, Van Buren, Wexford
Related Services:
Children's Ombudsman's Office (800-642-4326)
Department of Human Services-Office of the Family Advocate (517-335-3475)
Michigan Association of Foster, Adoptive, and Kinship Parents (989-733-4527)
Department of Human Services-Foster Home Licensing (517-335-6068)
Friends of the Court
Articles of Interest:
"Lost and Alone on Some Forgotten Highway", by Kenneth L. Tacoma, Chief Judge, Wexford County Probate Court
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