Illinois DCFS Emergency Placement Services = no child in the office overnight!

As I have visited many of our field offices, I have heard loud and clear that youth sleeping in our DCFS offices has become a critical issue.?I am so excited to share with you that under the leadership of Jacqui Dortch, deputy director of child services in our Division of Clinical and Child Services, Illinois DCFS has undertaken this critical challenge and is taking the steps to eliminate the need for children to stay in DCFS offices.

In addition to greatly expanding our array of daytime and after-hours emergency placement, I am thrilled to announce a new resource to help keep children from having to stay in our offices – EMERGENCY RECEPTION HOMES (ERH)!?As of this week, DCFS has already authorized nine homes for 24/7 emergency use statewide, and our Child Welfare Contributing Agency (CWCA) partners are working diligently to open more.?The ERH provide a safe and supportive home for children to receive a meal, take a shower or experience some peace and calm and they include workspace for the placing worker to complete paperwork and continue efforts toward a long-term placement resource.

Of note, the Illinois DCFS statewide Emergency Placement Services (EPS) is the updated name for the department’s system of emergency placement resources (previously called the Statewide Emergency Shelter System). EPS staff will be available through email, and by phone after hours, to triage emergency placement decisions and locate a placement for youth, including daytime, nighttime and weekends.

This new program goes into effect immediately and I could not be prouder of the leadership Jacqui and our leaders across fiscal, licensing, child protection and placement have exhibited for this effort to ensure that no child has to spend the night in an office. This effort demonstrates what great things we can accomplish when we work together as a team.?

This first step is also not the end.?We will continue to work with our CWCA partners to develop additional resources for children who have disrupted from placement and need a safe respite alternative to staying in our DCFS offices.?Stay tuned for announcements about more resources in the weeks and months to come.

Together we continue to move the needle and ensure that we are treating all the kids that come into our care are as if they are our own. The Emergency Reception Homes are just the start of the many innovative things we at DCFS will accomplish over the next few years as we transform into a truly child and family centered system.?I’m so fired up for all we are going to do together!

Heidi E. Mueller

Director, Illinois DCFS