The FACT Child Abuse and Neglect Committee was established in 2012 by legislation under the Governor’s Executive Reorganization Plan which consolidated the Governor’s Advisory Board on Child Abuse and Neglect (GAB) and FACT.
The GAB was established in 1975 when the child abuse and neglect reporting statute was enacted in Virginia and remained active until it’s authority was transferred to the newly established FACT Committee in 2012.
Similar to the responsibilities of the GAB, the current purpose of the Committee is to:
- Make recommendations to the FACT Board of Trustees regarding the prevention and treatment of child abuse and neglect that impact the Virginia Department of Social Services, the Board of Social Services, the Governor and the children of Virginia;
- Review regulations, guidance, practices and compliance of state and local Child Protective Services and make recommendations for change when necessary;
- Communicate with the Departments of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, Criminal Justice Services, Education, Health, Juvenile Justice, the Attorney General and the Governor regarding promising and best practices related to efforts to prevent and treat child abuse and neglect within families; and
- Increase understanding, ownership, and investment in child protection across Virginia and advocate for needed resources to achieve the goals of protecting children, promoting child well-being, and strengthening families.
A PDF version of the CAN Charge can be found here (updated 06/2023) and the Committee Roster.
In the past, the Child Abuse & Neglect Committee has given an annual Child Welfare Award.
Citizen Review Panels
The Child Abuse and Neglect Committee also serves as one of Virginia’s Citizen Review Panels (CRPs).
The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) mandates the establishment of citizen review panels (CRP) to examine child protective services policies and procedures. CRPs may also review specific child protective services cases to evaluate key concerns such as the Child Protective Services (CPS) programs’ compliance with the State Plan, coordination with Title IV-E foster care and adoption programs, child fatalities and near fatalities, as well as other concerns the panel considers important to the CPS program.