The following is a re-blog from Illinois State Representative Sara Feigenholtz
SB 193 was the one bill waiting for the Governors signature and I am grateful that he signed it.
The stories we heard this year—of losing children in the system awakened many legislators whose lives once hung in the balance when they were small children.
Born of these stories, was the Child Welfare Caucus. SB193 was our first caucus bill.
SB 193 says that the decision about whether a child stays in the home or not should be based solely on the best interest of the child standard, the facts, and what is going on in the home.
No decision should be colored by any perverse financial incentive to the contractor, either way. SB 193 prohibits all contractual or individual incentives. Period.
The second part of the new law requires the Division of Child Protection to review a random sample of investigations from the field to improve communication, create a system of checks, balances and accountability to assure the right decisions are being made and to implement necessary systemic reforms.
We can all improve workplace performance and I know DCFS is committed to doing that. SB193 is the legislatures way of weighing in on our expectations of the agency and helping them set a new course.
Hat tip to the Child Welfare Caucus— a mighty army committed to change.
| Representative Sara Feigenholtz represents Illinois’ 12th District, which includes Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Buena Park and Near North. |