Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Workforce Crisis Task Force met Jan. 19.
Here are the minutes provided by the task force:
Attendee: Position/Agency: Present (x)
| Amanda Whitlock | Children's Home & Aid - Senior Vice President, Child Welfare & Behavioral Health Services | |
| Anne Irving | AFSCME | x |
| Betsy Goulet (co-chair) | University of Illinois - Springfield & Child Protection Training Academy | x |
| Comisa Hamilton | DCFS - Licensing - Acting Deputy Director | x (Proxy/
Shontee Blankenship) |
| Deja Luckett | Illinois Community College Board | x |
| Denice Murray | Ascension Advisory Services - Child Welfare | x |
| Heidi Farris | Illinois Board of Higher Education | x |
| Jason House | DCFS - Budget Office | x |
| Joe McDonald | DCFS - Finance - Acting CFO | x |
| Lisa Jones | Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity | |
| Mark Stutrud | Lutheran Social Service - CEO | x |
| Paola Baldo | Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority - Research Analysis | x |
| Rep. Dan Caulkins | Illinois State Representative - 101st District | |
| Rep. Dave Vella | Illinois State Representative - 48th District | x |
| Rep. Maurice West | Illinois State Representative - 67th District | x |
| Sarah Daniels | Illinois Collaboration on Youth - Assistant Deputy Director | x |
| Sen. Craig Wilcox | Illinois State Senator - 32nd District | x |
| Sen. Julie Morrison (chair) | Illinois State Senator - 29th District | x |
| Sen. Steve McClure | Illinois State Senator - 50th District | x |
| Rep. Tony McCombie | Illinois State Representative - District | x |
| Tami Fuller | Children and Family Research Center - University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign | x |
Sen. Morrison welcomed the group. Kate Smith, DCFS, took attendance.
II. Introduction – Please provide your name and your professional title
Following attendance each attendee introduced themselves (listed above)
III. Background – Task Force on Strengthening the Child Welfare Workforce for Children and Families Tami Fuller (Children & Families Research Center – School of Social Work) gave an overview of the December 2020 Child Welfare Workforce Task Force: Literature Review, Employer Survey, and Recommendations. Noted factors of high importance: Worker Stress; Emotional Exhaustion; Job Satisfaction; Organizational Commitment to Workers. Salary was noted as particular interest, but not amongst the highest of concerns. Current status/progress of Stipend Program was discussed. It was discussed that this document would be sent out to all attendees.
IV. DCFS Updates
(Loan forgiveness) Stipend Program was initiated by Sen. McGuire. It is a five-year pilot with required yearly reports to monitor success. DCFS currently has $500,000 set aside in the 2022 budget for this program. This allows for $5,000/semester and a total of $10,000/participant. Informal agreements have been made with 12 universities. It’s possible that the funding would be expanded for the 2023 budget.
V. Recommendations Discussion
• Improving court relationships were discussed as many judges are not familiar with the role or purpose of DCFS and are simply “anti-DCFS.” Educating judges on the goal, purpose and role of DCFS with judges could improve the relationships with the courts.
• Training of the frontline – simulation training.
• Health and safety of workers.
o Helena Buckner will be providing an update with current measures to improve safety.
o Panic button; tracking system; radio system; body cams
o AFSCME proposals – engage with law enforcement and travel in pairs
o De-escalation technique training
o Using off-duty and retired police officers to accompany investigators in homes
• Streamlining the CMS hiring process – Why does the hiring process take so long?
• Re-establishing trust of DCFS to Illinois residents
• Law enforcement arm to DCFS (similar to conservation)
• Addressing rising crime in Illinois by the General Assembly (task forces outside of DCFS)
• What feedback are DCFS recruiters getting? What are the target numbers for hiring?
VI. Comments
Request for an email list sent to all attendees of attendees listed above.
Individuals requested to attend next meeting:
• Director Smith
• Kim Bates (recruitment)
• A representative from CMS
Virtual Chat Room Comments:
from Jason House to everyone: (approximately) 10:26 AM
We have 12 public universities exploring the stipend program.
from Heidi Farris to everyone: 10:28 AM
@jason house - thank you
from Rep Tony McCombie to everyone: 10:40 AM
We can not promote growing staff... when we cannot answer how you are going to keep people safe... cart before the horse!
from Rep Tony McCombie to everyone: 10:53 AM
Meaghan... I know there are alot of reports that are posted on ILGA... can you send/email us a list of what you have out there?
from Meaghan Jorgensen (internal) to everyone: 10:54 AM
Yes. Will get that to you.
from Heidi Farris to everyone: 10:56 AM
What is Kim Bates title?
from Mark Stutrud to everyone: 10:57 AM
Some thoughts on Workforce Crisis – Recruitment, Retention and Vocation
The recent Rate increases and potential increases in the State Budget can make a significant impact.
However, Private organizations are challenged by some structural issues in the DCFS contracts:
- Rate
- Case Volume
- Allowable Costs (some with Caps)
- Excess Revenue
The current Contract structure poses challenges in effectively:
- Forecasting
- Calibrating Budgets
- Financial Modeling (that assures long term viability)
In the immediate term:
- Address structural contract issues
- Enhance Salary/Benefits
- Double the Efforts in Training, Onboarding and Supervision
Longer Term:
- Vocation: Redesign the Child Welfare approach:
o Evidence/Team Based Model
o Accountable Outcomes based on Permanence
VII. Adjournment
https://www2.illinois.gov/dcfs/aboutus/policy/Documents/dcfswfcrf/CW_Task_Force_Notes_011922.pdf
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