The Foster Care Review Board Program, administered by the State Court Administrative Office of the Michigan Supreme Court, today announces the appointment of the following volunteer board members:
• Tanya Bankston, Wayne County.
• Cleo F. Biles, Wayne County.
• Michele Calloway, Wayne County.
• Rebecca Cole, Lenawee County.
• Tina Gomez, Wayne County.
• Merrill Graham, Kent County.
• Marcia Jablonski, Livingston County.
• Alice Jones, Mason County.
• Michelle Lenning, Wayne County.
• William Liverman, Oakland County.
• Nancy Martin, Eaton County.
• LaShawna Morman, Wayne County.
• Linda Nelson, Jackson County.
• Janet Olsen, Clinton County.
• Sawyer Saint Andrews, Iron County.
• Kathie Stancik, St. Joseph County.
• Jessica Strachan, Wayne County.
• Neita Sudberry, Genesee County.
• Brandon Youngblood, Kalamazoo County.
“We are pleased that these outstanding individuals are committing their time and talents to make a positive impact on the lives of children all across Michigan,” said FCRB Program Manager James Novell.
The local boards review randomly-chosen child abuse and neglect cases, and assess how these cases are being handled by the courts, the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services, and private child welfare agencies.
Volunteers must reside within the county of their local board, are appointed to a three-year term, and are required to attend regularly scheduled review meetings one day each month, in addition to training and occasional foster parent appeals.
Responsibilities include reviewing selected cases of children in foster care by reading written case materials and surveys, and interviewing interested parties to the case as well as advocating for system improvements.
Michigan’s Foster Care Review Board Program was created by the Michigan Legislature in 1984, and helps ensure safety, well-being, and timely permanency for children in the state foster care system.
