Prairie State Wire

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Statewide Parent Advisory Council met Feb. 28.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Present- Parents – Theresa Leggins, Gregory Cox, Johnny Williams, Terry Lenoir, Dorothy Jordan

Guest Parent – Ms. Eason, who found SPAC on line

Non-Parent Members – Janelle Pulcher, Javonna Smith, Amy Chase, Norma Machay, Kara Hamilton Tahney Fletcher

Support & Other Staff – Kara Hamilton, Kim Willis, Ray Gates, Michelle Grove, Melissa Kasel

Roll Call – Co-chair Gregory Cox called the roll.

Guest Speaker Statewide Licensing Administrator Melissa Kasel – Ms. Kasel explained her role in licensing foster parents and relative caregivers statewide, adding that she has been working with Cynthia Richter Jackson on efforts to license relative caregivers. Melissa stated that some of the advantages gained by licensing relative caregivers include more training, additional monetary supports, enhanced safety for placed children, and better access to a foster parent support specialist.

Melissa pointed out that relatives can be licensed to only care for their relative children that have been placed. As such, DCFS would not be asking them to take other children into placement. Members then asked a few questions, and they thanked Melissa for her presentation.

Status of Work Related to Child and Family Team Meetings (CFTM) – Norma Machay described her work as a Master Coach, helping workers and supervisors to improve their work with the people they serve. This includes instruction on motivational interviewing and how to better conduct effective CFTMs. She has been working with 28 teams and focusing on enhancing CFTMs with intact families.

Norma asked for one or two SPAC parent members to join with her in working with the Cook County CFTM workgroup. Theresa and Dorothy volunteered. Greg volunteered for the quarterly meetings. Javonna asked Norma to come speak with the Cook County PWP Chapter. Norma offered to come back and keep this group updated on her work.

Minutes of January 24, 2023 Meeting – Greg noted that the minutes had been distributed and he called for discussion. Hearing none, he called for a motion to approve. The motion was made by Dorothy. Johnny gave the second. There was no discussion, and all voted in favor of the motion. The minutes were approved as presented.

Ethics and Harassment Training – Ray explained that all staff and council members are required to take this training again in 2023, with the deadline being July 1, 2023. Ray noted that the instructions and link have been sent to members twice, adding that this will be an agenda item each month until the training has been completed. Kara added that she is willing to assist members who have difficulty logging in, etc.

Greg explained that two members have not responded to requests to complete their 2022 and 2023 training. Furthermore, they have not responded to calls, texts and emails about attending meetings, nor have they attended SPAC meetings. In synch with the bylaws regarding unexcused absences, Greg will email these members thanking them for their service.

Chapter Reports

Springfield – Ray reported that the chapter met via WebEx last week and heard a presentation from Cynthia Richter Jackson about the Meta Model in which the parents’ change management proposal is being implemented. That was followed by a presentation on ACRs, given by ACR Administrator Robert Schiffman. They chapter hopes to have a judge speak at their in-person meeting in March.

County – Javonna had to leave, so Ray noted that this chapter met on February 9 and members enjoyed a presentation about programs in Chicago and Cook County that will test homes for lead exposure then provide total lead abatement work at no cost to the owners or renters. Members also discussed a back to school event they hope to have for the community in August.

Membership – Ray reported that Shawnise Newton and Chris Little have been appointed by the Director to fill two Central Region membership slots on SPAC. Ray noted efforts he continues to make with administration in the Northern and Southern Regions to fill empty parent slots. Tahney asked if foster parents can become SPAC members. Ray said foster parents cannot fill parent slots, but the bylaws do not prohibit foster parents filling certain non-parent slots. Amy offered to ask Gretchen about parents from Southern Region for possible membership.

Guest Parent Ms. Eason said she is from Rockford, and she found the SPAC on line, which is how she was able to join today’s meeting.

Adjournment - When there was no other discussion, Greg called for a motion to adjourn. Motion was made by Dorothy and seconded by Johnny. There was no discussion, and all voted to approve the motion. The meeting adjourned at 5:18pm.

https://dcfs.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/dcfs/documents/about-us/impact-public-policy/documents/spac/spac-minutes-022823.pdf