SPRINGFIELD - Governor Bruce Rauner today announced an expanded partnership between the State of Illinois and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) with Casey Family Programs.
"The State of Illinois is faced with the immediate, difficult task of addressing the issues and the short-comings of our child welfare system. To help us accomplish this, we need to bring in the best of the best," Gov. Rauner said. "Casey Family Programs is one of the most respected and well-known child welfare foundations in the country. I'm excited to announce it has agreed to expand its partnership with us and provide additional resources, expertise, and know-how to help us address the needs of the children and families we serve."
Casey Family Programs has been partnering with the State of Illinois since 2009 on multiple projects by providing resources and technical assistance to support new supervision and program models, as well as, provide support around Illinois' innovative federal demonstration waiver focused on research-based alternatives to long term foster care. The new, expanded partnership will initially cover three key areas, including reforms to residential care, new practice models to assist with child safety decision-making assessments, and support the creation and expansion of data capabilities.
"We are pleased to assist the State of Illinois in finding better ways to support vulnerable children and families," Dr. William C. Bell, president and CEO of Casey Family Programs said. "This collaboration allows us to support practices and policies that safely reduce the need for foster care, strengthen families, and increase the safety and success of children."
In the coming weeks, Casey Family Programs' team will be meeting with DCFS staff and leadership to complete a full assessment of the agency, and further clarify additional needs and strengths.
About Casey Family Programs: Casey Family Programs is the nation's largest operating foundation focused solely on safely reducing the need for foster care and building Communities of Hope for vulnerable children and families across America. Founded in 1966, we work to influence long-lasting improvements to the safety and well-being of children, families and the communities where they live. For more information visit: www.casey.org.
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