Governor's
budget plan for DCFS focuses on
meeting long-term needs of at-risk children
Agency's
"lifetime approach" strives to give children in
State's care tools
and services to become successful adults
(Also
see the FY 2007 Budget
Briefing Book)
SPRINGFIELD
- Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today proposed a fiscal year 2007 budget for the
Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) that focuses on the implementation
of initiatives that improve the agency's ability to serve children that call the
State of Illinois "parents."
"Our
goal is to ensure that the changes we are implementing will penetrate deeply into
the practices of the Department, to ensure that each child receives a quality
and complete plan for their entire stay in state care and beyond, and that we
display the commitment and have the tools to fulfill society's obligation to provide
for these children," said Director Bryan Samuels.
The
fiscal year 2007 budget proposal includes $1.3 billion for DCFS. The agency plans
to focus state dollars on implementing new initiatives that include the redesign
of the Transitional Living and Independent Living Programs, which will provide
a seamless continuum of services for youth transitioning to adulthood, and the
creation of an improved statewide shelter system. The Youth Stabilization program,
which addresses the most challenging aspect of the shelter system, includes a
series of targeted strategies to stabilize older youth with a pattern of multiple
placements and run behavior.
The
Department will work closely with the Department of Human Services to expeditiously
transition developmentally-disabled youth who are aging out of DCFS care to Community-based
Integrated Living Arrangements (CILA). Not only does this provide for more appropriate
care, but it also generates additional federal dollars for the state.
The
Governor's budget plan also includes $30 million for support service enhancements
mandated by the federal government as part of it's comprehensive review process.
The Program Improvement Plan submitted to and approved by the U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services contained strategies that will strengthen the delivery
of much-needed services, such as mental health services, to children in the DCFS
system.
The
budget proposal reflects the continuing decline in caseloads. Approximately 17,800
children are currently in the DCFS system, down from 20,600 in 2003.
Together
with Governor Blagojevich, Director Samuels and the Department have:
