SPRINGFIELD, Ill.- The Illinois Senate Subcommittee on Children and Family discussed improvements to the Department of Children and Family Services.
They passed which could require DCFS to submit annual reports to lawmakers documenting the placement of children. Specifically, kids hospitalized or those placed in psychiatric facilities.
Danielle Gomez, Supervising Attorney with the Office of the Cook County Public Guardian, explained some children wait weeks in hospital beds before placement.
“Hospital emergency rooms are not designed to deal with psychiatric crises,� said Gomez. “Those youth are frequently subjected to chemical and mechanical restraints while they’re there.�
Gomez said the bill could also require DCFS submit reports on children moved to out-of-state facilities. She explained Illinois only placed seven kids in neighboring states� care facilities in 2006. However, in fiscal year 2019, 96 kids became placed in these programs outside of Illinois.
“It needs to be a priority�
The committee also passed a proposal to help youth in care receive financial aid. could provide assistance to youth in DCFS when applying for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
Lawmakers feel this could help those most in need continue their education past high school.
Although, Sen. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) had concerns on how students will fill out the FAFSA paperwork. She emphasized that it can be intimidating and overwhelming to fill out alone. Kyle Hillman, Legislative Affairs Director with the National Association of Social Workers of Illinois, emphasized the need for the state and department to help out.
“In a traditional situation, the parents are going to help the student actually complete those documentation,� said Hillman. “Obviously, with youth in care, that parent/parental role falls on the state. To me, in our organization, it needs to be a priority of the state and so that those resources need to be allocated as necessary to do it.�
Hillman also said his organization doesn’t think it’s a huge burden on DCFS to take action to help these kids. Both Senate bills will now head to the health committee for further discussion.
