Morrison: Every child in the DCFS system deserves the same care, regardless of ZIP code

DEERFIELD – Nearly two months after thousands of children under the Department of Children and Family Service’s care were transitioned to a new health care program, State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) led a hearing to discuss how the transition went and what changes still need to be made to the program.

“While I’m pleased thousands of children have received better care, more must be done to make sure every child in the DCFS system receives adequate health care regardless of ZIP code or family background,” Morrison said. “Foster families have already sacrificed so much to take care of our state’s most vulnerable children. They shouldn’t have to consider uprooting their families to find local, quality care.”

The hearing comes after more than 19,000 foster children transitioned to the new Medicaid managed care program – YouthCare – in September, following nearly a year of delays. People who were formerly in the care of the state’s foster program were transitioned to the new health care program in February, but the transition for current foster children was put on pause in an effort for them to receive a smooth transition.

Youth were transitioned into managed care to improve their health care through coordination and better continuity of care. A number of benefits outlined by the state agency include the network being more than three times larger than the former provider, more help for families navigating the health care system and a health care coordinator being assigned to each child.

However, following September’s roll out, concerns were raised after some families were forced to find new providers, leaving them frustrated as they waited for answers and their children were without care. Additionally, a number of families who live in more rural areas have struggled to find in-network providers near their homes, causing them to drive up to three hours to get their children the care they need. 

“Today’s hearing was the first step toward tackling issues with YouthCare in an effort to make sure every child gets the care they need and deserve,” Morrison said. “Together, through communication and a willingness to put children’s health first, Illinois can soon have some of the most robust care for children in need.”

Morrison named Legislator of the Year for human services work

DEERFIELD – To honor State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) for championing legislation that established the Disabled Workers Trainee Program, the Illinois Department of Human Rights named her the Interagency Committee for Employees with Disabilities Legislator of the Year.

“I’m just happy I was able to make a difference in the lives of people who already face greater challenges than the average person,” Morrison said. “However, I’m grateful for this honor and for all the hard work the Department of Human Rights does to protect the people of Illinois from discrimination.”

The Legislator of the Year award honors a legislator who has been instrumental in supporting public policy promoting the values of the committee and the rights of people with disabilities. The committee voted to select Morrison for this year’s award due to her efforts in spearheading and passing Senate Bill 726, which established the Disabled Workers Trainee Program. The program helps people with disabilities pursuing state employment by providing them with testing assistance.

“I firmly believe the state should be a leader in helping people who have traditionally faced discrimination, including people with disabilities and Black and Brown Illinois residents,” Morrison said. “I hope that private businesses will follow our lead and give people with disabilities a little extra help and consideration when they’re applying for jobs.”

Morrison will accept the award Thursday afternoon during a virtual ceremony.

Morrison: Child abuse, neglect can more easily be reported online

DEERFIELD – To make it easier for people to report child abuse and neglect, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services enhanced its online reporting system. State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) is encouraging the public and mandatory reporters to use the website to report issues at a faster pace.

“Oftentimes, both children and adults find themselves in vulnerable situations where they don’t feel comfortable picking up the phone to make a report or can’t do so immediately,” Morrison said. “Not only does this make the reporting process easier, it expedites the case management process and lessens the number of return calls needed during times of high call volume.”

DCFS last month upgraded its online reporting system, with improved entry fields, clearer instructions and fewer necessary clicks, reducing the time required to make reports.

After the recent upgrade, 434 online reports were made in the last full week of September compared to 173 filed during the same time last year.

When someone makes a report through the upgraded user-friendly site, it is automatically sent to DCFS’s case management system, which the agency says increases internal efficiency. 

To use the online reporting system, visit dcfsonlinereporting.dcfs.illinois.gov. Additionally, cases of abuse and neglect can still be reported by phone at 1-800-25-ABUSE. 

Morrison congratulates Blue Ribbon Schools in the 29th District

DEERFIELD — State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) is congratulating four schools in the Northern Suburbs for earning National Blue Ribbon Schools honors. 

“I am always proud to represent a district full of extraordinary schools that put our students first,” Morrison said. “This recognition has made me even prouder — showing that teachers and administrators are working tirelessly to help our students achieve high test scores and close achievement gaps among student groups.”

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program is a U.S. Department of Education Award Program designed in 1982 to recognize high achieving schools on a yearly basis in two categories — Exemplary High Performing Schools and Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools. Throughout the state, 21 schools have received recognition this year — four of which are in the district Morrison represents. 

Field Middle School and Indian Trail Elementary School were both awarded the in the Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools category for their efforts to close the achievement gaps between their subgroups and all students over the past five years. 

The School of Saint Mary and Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart both received recognition in the Exemplary High Performing Schools category. Schools that received the commendation scored at the highest performance level on tests referenced by the national norms in the most recent year tested.

The U.S. Secretary of Education will honor the 2020 National Blue Ribbon Schools in a virtual ceremony Nov. 12 and 13. 

“Every staff member, parent and student should be proud of their hard work to receive such a prestigious honor,” Morrison said. “We will continue to see the benefits of this work for years to come as our children grow to become our future leaders.”