SJ0062 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SJ0062 LRB101 20928 MST 70905 r

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is charged with providing support to the State's youngest and most vulnerable population; and

WHEREAS, In Illinois, there are State-supported services that provide for the foster placement of youth in care or reunification of families, and it is DCFS's task to prioritize the needs of the child and find them the most appropriate placement; and

WHEREAS, It is essential to provide DCFS with the necessary support and resources to carry out their mission; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois General Assembly plays a key role in supporting DCFS's mission; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that there is created the Department of Children and Family Services Working Group; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Working Group shall consists of the following members, who shall serve without compensation:

(1)3 members recommended by the President of the Senate, one of whom shall be designated as Co-Chairperson;

(2)3 members recommended by the Senate Minority Leader;

(3)3 members recommended by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, one of whom shall be designated as Co-Chairperson;

(4)3 members recommended by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives; and

(5) The Director of Children and Family Services and the Governor of Illinois, or their designees, shall each serve as an ex officio member of the Working Group; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Department of Children and Family Services shall provide administrative support for the Working Group, in cooperation with the legislative caucuses; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Working Group shall be tasked with reviewing State regulations affecting the Department of Children and Family Service in order to determine best practices associated with the Department's mission; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Working Group may hear testimony from service providers, constituent groups, families, foster families, youth in care, former youth in care, DCFS administrators and employees, social worker advocates, social worker educators, children's advocates, and members of the Early Learning Council, among others; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Working Group may compile a series of recommendations to address the needs of the DCFS population; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution may be delivered to the Department of Children and Family Services and the Office of the Governor.