BRADENTON -- After a roller coaster ride of "it's staying - it's going away," the popular and successful juvenile review program looks like it might be at the end of the road. Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, R.B. ”Chips“ Shore announced Friday that effective April 11, 2012, the program will "temporarily" cease operations, due to a lack of referals from new Juvenile Judge Scott Brownell. In a statement, Shores said the following:

March 30, 2012 – Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, R.B. ”Chips“ Shore announced today that effective April 11, 2012, the Citizen Review program will temporarily cease operations.  Established in 1997 after the tragic and preventable death of Lucas Ciambrone at the hands of his parents, Citizen Review panels were created by the Florida Legislature at the recommendation of then-Governor Jeb Bush and his Blue Ribbon panel.  Citizen Review panels are made up of dedicated community volunteers who receive extensive training to review the cases of children in out-of-home care to ensure their physical, emotional, medical and educational needs are being met. As a quasi-judicial panel, the Citizen Review panel volunteers make recommendations to the Judge as to the safe placement of the child or children.  The Citizen Review volunteers serve as watch-dogs to make sure all the parties in a case are held responsible and meet the needs of the child.

Manatee County’s Citizen Review program has had a long and distinguished record of service to Manatee County’s most vulnerable children.  And the program enjoys broad-based community support, including support from most judges who appreciate having an extra group of eyes reviewing the cases of children in care.

The Judge currently serving in the Juvenile Courts division has a different philosophy and vision for the children and families seen in court, as is his prerogative.  Referrals from him have dropped off dramatically since January; Shore was left with no choice but to temporarily cease Citizen Review operations.  ”My hope is to be able to restore the Citizen Review program to its full capacity once the standard rotation of judges puts someone on the juvenile bench who sees the benefit of the program,“ says Shore.
About the Clerk’s Office

The Clerk of the Circuit Court was established as a public trustee by the Florida Constitution in 1838. The Clerk of the Circuit Court serves as the Clerk of Courts, the Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners, Auditor, Recorder, and Custodian of all County Funds. In Manatee County, the Clerk’s office also administers a child support enforcement program, violence protection advocacy program and Teen Court programs.  Located at 1115 Manatee Avenue West in Downtown Bradenton, the Courthouse is open Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Please be sure to visit our web site at www.manateeclerk.com.

Efforts to save the program were frequent and backed by the passionate commitment of both members and those in the community who have seen its impact. See below for previous coverage of the issue.

Citizens Review Panel is too Valuable to Lose