Prairie State Wire

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Institutional Review Board met April 22.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

ON VIDEO: David L. Fox, IRB Chair

Dahra Parenteau, IRB Coordinator

Jennifer Eblen-Manning

Tamara Fuller

Maureen Jones

Robin LaSota

Lina Millett

Keith Polan

Verletta Saxon

Dr. Margaret Scotellaro

Carlisa Redditt (Guest)

Tamela Squires (Guest)

EXCUSED: Anmarie Brandenburg

CALL TO ORDER: David Fox called the meeting to order at 2:10 pm. A quorum was present

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Dr. Margaret Scotellaro motioned to accept the April 1, 2025 meeting minutes, Jennifer Eblen-Manning seconded the motion, and a unanimous vote from the remaining board members carried the motion.

FOLLOW UP/UPDATES:

• Risser (FN+ Open Trial 2024-12 Amend 1): “Building Capacity for Youth Mental Wellness: Feasibility and Acceptability for a mental health Family Navigator Model for Foster Parents”

The amendment makes minor changes to the Protocol and Consent Form: 1) Indicated that they are recruiting both English and Spanish speaking foster parents, 2) Indicated that they are recruiting only foster parents living in Illinois, 3) Indicated that they may recruit via word of mouth, and 4) Indicated in the Protocol and Consent Form that they are sharing information with NIMH as this study is funded by the NIH.

POST MEETING UPDATES:

1) Researcher clarified that the translator is not certified. He is a native Spanish speaker, and fluent in both English and Spanish. He also has experience working with Spanish-speaking participants.

2) In addition to directing participants who want access to immediate resources for their child’s mental and behavioral health, to nationwide directories of providers and/or encourage them to contact their child’s caseworker, researcher indicated that they will also direct participants to contact their youth’s primary care physician if mental health symptoms are exacerbated. The consent form has been updated.

DISCUSSION: Amendment was submitted without the Spanish language consent forms, however, Spanish speaking families have not yet been recruited. Questions – 1) Do we need copies of the Spanish language forms in advance? 2) Is it required for the translator to be certified given there is no corresponding certification for native English speakers? Send to IRB legal for review. No other issues remain.

NEW PROPOSALS/AMENDMENTS:

• Morsch (Wraparound 2023-01 Amend 1): “Evaluation of DCFS Immersion Sites /Wraparound Qualitative Study”

This amendment adds specific information about the qualitative study being conducted in the coming months. The qualitative study will include focus groups and interviews with Wraparound staff members, caregivers, and youth. The number of counties served by Wraparound in Illinois was increased; the anticipated members to be involved in the research was updated to reflect the qualitative study activities; the study title was updated to remove “Immersion Sites” as Immersion Sites ended and Wraparound has expanded since; new supporting documents are included (program participant contact form, recruitment documents, consent/assents documents, focus group and interview guides); the wraparound eligibility checklist has been updated.

DISCUSSION: The amendment is well done with no issues or concerns. It adds qualitative focus groups for caregivers, youth and caseworkers. A specific interview protocol was developed for each group.

Vote: Tamara Fuller motioned to approve, Maureen Jones seconded the motion, Verletta Saxon abstained, and the remaining board members approved the motion. The board is recommending this project to the Director for approval.

• Pachecho-Applegate (2025-04 Private ECE Providers Response to Chicago's Public Preschool Expansion and Smart Start Grants)

The proposed study is conducted as part of the researcher’s dissertation in fulfillment of the requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy degree. The study examines two interventions in the Chicago early childhood education (ECE) market: a citywide public preschool expansion and the Illinois Smart Start Workforce Grants (SSWG) initiative, and how ECE providers respond to these policies in terms of internal operations, decision-making, and strategies for sustaining their business. Additionally, it examines whether these policies influence providers' participation in the Illinois Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), a demand-side subsidy that provides vouchers to low-income families.

The candidate is requesting access to cross-sectional versions of DCFS longitudinal licensing data that is publicly available through DCFS’s Sunshine website and via the Day Care Provider Lookup database for private early childhood education providers. The specific information requested includes details on provider type, address, license status, license start and end dates, ages served, and capacity. The data requested is specific to Chicago providers. Chapin Hall has requested a letter of support from DCFS.

DISCUSSION:

• No child level data is being requested; agency level data only. Therefore, IRB approval should not be required.

• The data requested belongs to DCFS, not Chapin Hall. Is a letter of support enough (i.e. student researcher “buys-into” Chapin Hall agreement), or is a direct Data Usage agreement with DCFS required?

Hold until next meeting to consult with IRB legal rep regarding data usage agreement. No access to children or identified data. If changes, can come back.

PUBLICATIONS / REVIEWS:

I. Manuscript Reviews – Nothing to report at this time

ON HOLD:

• Nothing to report at this time

OTHER:

• Role & Boundaries of Institutional Review Board

▪ Responsibilities of the Reviewing Deputy – Continued discussions on role of the Deputy as it relates to research proposals and to the role of the IRB.

▪ New inquiries (Example – see Pachecho-Applegate)

▪ Flowchart approval process

▪ Website updates

DISCUSSION: The Director’s request is that Deputies that would be impacted by a research proposal be provided the opportunity to review the proposal and submit their comments and concerns so that she can make the most informed choice possible. Deputy’s acknowledgement does not equate to “permission”. Research division can assist in identifying Deputy Director for impacted division.

▪ Evaluator Review Sheet

▪ Review alternate tool based on DCFS Rule 432.5 Criteria by Which

Proposed Research Will be Evaluated of DCFS

DISCUSSION: Taken directly from DCFS Rule 432. Continue for further discussion at May meeting.

Comments:

▪ Minimal risk to children and families

o expand to “human subjects”?

▪ Shows promise of producing, confirming or otherwise advancing knowledge of child or family emotional or physical conditions

o expand to cover current objectives of DCFS (e.g. well-being, etc.)

• Rules of Procedure/Bylaws Workgroup: Draft Rule 428 Review – Establishment of Rules of Procedure and/or Bylaws

DISCUSSION: Draft Bylaws submitted for review

- Read and review for more robust discussion at May meeting.

Comment: Assurance that the Department has “clearance over any published work” – IRB has procedures in place to “review” articles.

• Partnership for Progress: Goals 1-5 (April 23-April 30)

DISCUSSION: Announcement made

• Next Meeting: May 27, 2025 at 2:00 pm

DISCUSSION: Confirmed quorum will be present. One member unable to attend. Next Meeting Date: May 27, 2025 at 2:00 pm

The meeting adjourned 3:14 pm

https://dcfs.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/dcfs/documents/about-us/impact-public-policy/documents/irb/IRB%20Minutes%20-%202025-0422.pdf