State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) expressed continued concern today that the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is not living up to its critical task of protecting abused or neglected Illinois children.
Numerous high-profile failures over the last several months at the agency have Morrison questioning the ability of the agency to protect vulnerable children under DCFS Director Beverly Walker.
“We have known for quite some time about the challenges and failures facing DCFS,” Morrison said. “Unfortunately, I haven’t seen the leadership from the agency or the administration that I would have hoped given the vital importance of protecting children from abuse and neglect.”
Morrison’s concerns center around the unnecessarily long stays at psychiatric hospitals without placement, the state’s rollout later this year of a Medicaid managed care system for the state’s foster youth and a complete lack of specialized care services for youth victims of sex trafficking.
After a hearing earlier this year in which DCFS had no response for the care it provides to victims of sex trafficking, Morrison passed legislation requiring specialized services. That proposal passed both chambers and is awaiting the governor’s signature.
Morrison’s lingering concerns over the ability of the agency to protect children have stalled her endorsement of the new director until more progress is seen from the embattled agency.
“I hope Director Walker succeeds, and I am not opposed to supporting her nomination in the future,” Morrison said. “At this time, however, my concern with the lack of progress this agency is making does not allow me to vote for her confirmation.”
