News
DCFS set to resume parental visits after 3-month coronavirus shutdown, but advocates say it’s ‘much too little too late’
June 19th, 2020 The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, which court records show has custody of Fleming’s children due to a pending abuse case, suspended supervised parental visits for all children in its care because of concerns about the coronavirus pandemic. After months of pressure from advocates and a lawsuit brought by the […]
Advocacy
Illinois organizations urge Congress to act swiftly to address impacts on children and families caused by the Covid-19 pandemic
Illinois organizations are among more than 570 national, state and local organizations that are urging Congress for emergency child welfare support to address the COVID-19 crisis. Read letter here. Allendale AssociationBethany for Children & FamiliesChild Abuse CouncilChildren’s Home & AidChildServGlenwood AcademyIllinois Association of Court Appointed Special AdvocatesIllinois Chapter, American Academy of PediatricsIllinois Collaboration on YouthIllinois-Iowa Center […]
Letter to Illinois Governor and DCFS Director from Foster Care Alumni Association-IL Chapter
The FCAA-IL requests an amendment to Executive Order in Response to COVID-19 to include additional responses to provide assistance to youth who are in or aging out of foster care. Read the full letter here. An update from an Illinois advocate on April 4: DCFS agreed to expand services until June for young people who […]
Advocacy Letter to Illinois Department of Children and Family Services
March 20, 2020 Letter by the Shriver Center on Poverty Policy The letter implores the Department to create and publicize a comprehensive emergency plan in response to the COVID-19 pandemic that at the very least includes taking action on investigations, service plans, visitation, reunification, foster placements and other issues. A copy of the letter is […]
Policy
Illinois DCFS Director Letter to FCAA-IL
Letter from DCFS Director to Foster Care Alumni Association-IL to express thanks for efforts to ensure that youth in transition are provided services and resources necessary to maintain their safety and health during this difficult time. The letter outlines the steps that DCFS is taking to address the elevated needs of youth in transition. Letter […]
Illinois Executive Order in Response to COVID-19
COVID-19 Executive Order No. 20 was issued by Governor Pritzker on April 7, 2020 and includes Section 4: During the duration of and for sixty days following the termination of the Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamations, the definition of “child” under Section 2.01 of the Child Care Act of 1969, 225 ILCS 10/2.01, is suspended for the […]