In Thomas County, which empaneled its first JFCRP in 1983, the panel is composed of citizens representing diverse vocational and socioeconomic backgrounds. Citizens volunteer their services a year at a time after a 15-hour training program. Panel members agree to attend panel meetings once a month to review foster care cases. Each case is assessed every 6 months to determine progress toward a permanent home for the child. The highest priority is to return children to their parents, and the panel formulates plans to accomplish this, which includes steps to improve conditions in the parental home that will facilitate the child's return. If conditions make it unfeasible for a family to be reunited, the panel makes this determination as soon as possible so the child will not spend more time in foster care than is necessary. This determination leads to the termination of parental rights and making the child available for adoption. The program is cost-effective because the court incurs minimal recruitment and administrative expense. If the panel is successful in gaining permanent placement for only a few foster care children per year, it will have paid for itself. The program is expanding throughout Georgia. 7 notes.