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it’s about the children

by Lori Cohen Before each hearing, panelists study reports from case
Vice President of Collier’s Citizens Foster Care Review Board managers, guardians ad litem, prior court orders, and health

he data is ominous. The challenges are records. Each panel examines the children’s safety, education,
T medical, dental, psychological and enrichment statuses. Children
daunting. But the devoted dedication
are encouraged to attend these reviews. After deliberation,
and work of our volunteers is invaluable.
Let me explain: the panel makes recommendations to the Court, which are
Children are removed from their parents incorporated into a Court order.
for reasons of neglect, caregiver drug or alcohol The panels work to ensure the safety of the children
abuse, physical abuse, caregiver inability to cope, and expedite permanency. The panelists bring objective and Top Finishers Earn Invitation to PEBBLE BEACH
inadequate housing, parental incarceration, comprehensive analysis to the process for the maximum benefit of
child behavior, abandonment, sexual abuse and more. the children.
Whenever there are allegations of child abuse or neglect, it Testimonial
is up to the Court to protect the rights of parents and assure the Fifteen years ago, before I became a panelist, I was naïve to
safety of children who have been removed from their homes or dysfunctional family struggles and the suffering of abused and neglected
those who remain at home. children. Although I knew it existed, it was not part of my world. I
Since 1992, the Circuit Court judges hearing cases in Collier was truly shocked to learn of the realities involved when I prepared for
County have shared this responsibility with volunteer panel the panels. Today, I am no longer shocked but still saddened.
members from the Citizens Foster Care Review Board, Inc. But being a panelist is also rewarding. It is gratifying to see parents
Legislators and Founders of our non-profit 501(c)3 organization break free of unhealthy habits, learn to be better parents, and have
believed that panels of trained, involved, inquisitive citizens their kids return home. It is so satisfying to see a family reunited by
would provide the extra time and attention needed to assure that conquering traumas.
important tasks and details would not “fall through the cracks” in To keep up with the growing child abuse and neglect
a complex and fragmented system. challenges, the Citizen’s Foster Care Review Board, Inc. needs
The mission of the Citizens Foster Care Review Board is help in two ways:
to protect and advance the interests of abused and neglected First, we need more volunteers to serve as panel or board
children and young adults in Collier County who come under the members.
protection of the Dependency Court by providing well-trained Panelists must be over 25 years old; attend half day court
volunteers to oversee their safety, stability, and well-being. sessions held at the Collier County Courthouse and have no
Panel members hold parents and caregivers accountable to conflicts of interest. Panelists must also successfully pass a
correct the problems affecting their families. background check, attend a training program, prepare in advance
Of the cases heard in 2022 by the Citizen’s Foster Care review for each hearing by reading cases and attend on-going continuing
panels: education training courses.
43% of the children were ages 5 and younger Second, our Citizens Foster Care Review Board needs
26% were 6 to 10 years old additional funding. NATIONAL CORPORATE PARTNER NATIONAL PROMOTIONAL PARTNERS NATIONAL FINALS HOST
24% were 11-15 years old The Citizen’s Foster Care Review Board, Inc. is a tax-exempt Tiburón Golf Club at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples, FL
7% were age 16 and older 501(C)3 not-for-profit organization. We rely on donations to
Since its inception, CFCRB volunteers have donated over continue our mission.
30,000 hours to review the safety and permanency plans for Please consider assisting us to achieve timely, positive, and MUST-READ MONDAY
©2022 National Kidney Foundation, Inc. 03-54-8027_JBI
approximately 12,000 children. In 2022, our 30 volunteers permanent outcomes for our vulnerable dependent children. Monday, December 4, 2023
reviewed 163 cases involving 257 children. You can obtain additional information on our website at
www.CFCRBCollier.org, or cfcrbcollier@gmail.com.
Call Savanna Lanza at 407-894-7325 • slanza@kidneyfla.org
Or Anthony Defeo MD at 239-514-7388 • docd1943@gmail.com
Registration: 9:30 AM • Shotgun Start Time: 11:00 AM

Top teams from both the Handicap Index Division and the Gross Division will be invited to compete
at the National Finals at Pebble Beach — January 2024 (additional fees required).

L-R Bob DeHaven, Claire O’Keefe, Lori Cohen, L-R Lori Cohen (panel chair), Left – Judy Groos, CFCRB Court Liaison,
Willie West deliberate following a hearing Judy Groos (Court Liaison) prepare for and Lori Cohen, CFCRB Vice President take
the day’s hearings a break for a moment from working on the
annual schedule
56 Life in Naples | November 2023 Life in Naples | November 2023 57
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