Illinois Children and Family Services Advisory Council met Nov. 18.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
Attendance
Members: Marge Berglind, Anita Weinberg, Nate Pietrini, Jennifer Hansen, Lanetta Haynes Turner, Gabriel Foley, Sherrie Crabb, Kim King
DCFS: Kara Hamilton, Deborah Clark
Public: Nicholas Martin (pending member)
Agenda
I. Welcome and Introductions
Marge called meeting to order 3:00pm.
II. Approval of Minutes from September and October meetings
September 9th- MOTION: On a motion by Jennifer Hansen moved seconded by Gabe Foley, minutes were unanimously approved as submitted.
Special October COVID Meeting- MOTION: On a motion by Jennifer Hansen moved seconded by Gabe Foley, minutes were unanimously approved as submitted.
III. Discussion Item: Schedule Review
Marge noted meeting dates were sent out with attachment.
IV. Discussion Item: Nominating Committee to Appointment Members
Marge has asked Jennifer Hansen to conduct the Nominating Committee to develop a slate of recommended officers for the next fiscal year. Jennifer noted that the committee includes Anita, Brittani, and Jennifer and plans to meet in December. Marge outlined that the schedule of recommending officers in January will allow her to work with the incoming chair for 3 meetings before the new chair assumes responsibility in July. This will allow for a smooth transition.
V. Discussion Item: Juvenile Sex Offender Registry
Marge recapped that Juvenile Justice Commission co-chairs Rick and Lisa were present in July. Their group was going to review strategic plan and legislation changes. Marge noted she touched base with Rick and Lisa. Based on the anticipated truncated legislative session as well as escalating virus concerns, it’s probably not feasible to work any legislation in the upcoming spring session. The commission continues its work on this issue and will keep us informed.
VI. Discussion Item: Follow up on COVID
The committee discussed questions/concerns following the special meeting. Gabe commented he met with Youth Care (insurance given out to youth in care up to age 26) after the special meeting, and found different statistics and concerns presented than in the DCFS presentation. Marge referenced a letter sent to the Tribune from the Public Guardian about mandating vaccines for private agencies. She is curious about the rates of vaccination in private agencies and how the rates vary from DCFS staff. Kim King noted kids getting vaccinated make getting placements easier. Nate Pietrini asked what protocol is now for kids being vaccinated and what are percentages? Nick Martin as a foster parent noted that if the vaccine is from primary care physician no consent is needed but if foster parent wants to go to a clinic then they need consent. Nate Pietrini wrote an op-ed in the Tribune about vaccines given at school.
VII. Discussion Item: Family First
Given that no DCFS staff were able to attend this meeting to provide an overview of the plan, Marge suggested we devote the bulk of the next meeting to discussion of Family First. She asked Kara to assure DCFS staff participation and to submit any overview handouts/power points in advance. Based on the initial review of the plan so far, members asked the following questions:
• How will DCFS monitor the success of Family First and how will it be implemented?
• What group is providing overall coordination/communication as the plan proceeds? Kara noted that Kevin Gordon was the contact, and a steering committee has started meetings. Members questioned who is a part of the steering committee and if there are other groups involved in overseeing or evaluating the implementation.
• Kim and Anita noted they would like to a part of that steering committee.
• How is DCFS going to manage any new staffing needed to implement Family First? Members commented that there is already some rush to get positions filled from existing casework staff, so that vacancies in casework positions in essential programs of DCFS are developing. If staff is being transferred from regular work to front end of family preservation, what is happening to those positions? This seems to affect both DCFS and its private agency providers.
a. Next steps
The group agreed to potentially schedule a December special meeting for Family First presentation on December 6th or December 7th at 4pm depending on DCFS staff availability.
Meeting Adjourned
MOTION: On a motion by Jennifer Hansen and seconded by Sherrie Crabb the council agreed to adjourned.
Meeting ended 4:20pm
https://www2.illinois.gov/dcfs/aboutus/policy/Documents/ICFSAC/ICFSAC_Minutes_111821.pdf
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