Federal mandates require Citizen Review Panels (CRP) to oversee the child protective services (CPS) system in each state. In South Carolina, these panels are made up of citizen volunteers who are concerned with child welfare though not employed by the Department of Social Services (DSS). The Panels submit to DSS and to the public an annual report of their activities and recommendations, and DSS is required to respond in writing within six months, describing how it intends to implement any of the Panels’ recommendations.

In South Carolina, there are three Citizen Review Panels, each panel in a different part of the state but not geographically focused as to responsibility. Each of the Panels must meet the statutory requirement to examine state policies, procedures, and practices and those of local agencies statewide, to conduct statewide outreach to the public, and to assess community impact across the state.

Geographic relationships place obligations on county DSS offices in the Panels' catchment area counties are expected to send representatives to Panel meetings and otherwise provide on-site support to the Panels. The Upstate Panel meets in Greenwood, the Midlands Panel meets in Columbia, and the Lowcountry Panel meets in Charleston.

The Panels’ combined efforts ought to monitor the operation and impact of the whole child protection system. The nature of child protection calls for collaboration because the protective factors that matter to preventing child maltreatment are the responsibility of every organization and program that touches children and families, The Panels therefore take into consideration the impact of other entities besides DSS, considering how each supports or hinders the state’s efforts to protect children from abuse and neglect.

We are interested in hearing from the public, especially about community impact. How does the child protective system make a difference in your community, for better or worse? We need to hear about your concerns, interests, experiences, advice, and opinions. We welcome communications and membership applications from current or former recipients of child protective services. If you have questions, information to share, comments, or suggestions, please contact us.

Abiding concern for systematically evaluating child protection and advocating improvement is a requirement for membership. In addition, Panels’ work from time to time requires technical expertise in specialties such as law, medicine, or statistics. If you would like to volunteer your time or expertise, regularly or occasionally, please print, complete, and return an application form.