Carbondale Reporter

Illinois Adoption Advisory Council Statewide Citizens Committee on Abuse/Neglect met March 22.

Here is the minutes provided by the Council:

Introductions- Diane Scruggs, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 9:36 a.m. Everyone introduced themselves.

Anne Gold noted that she had previously served in this position in 2014. Anne is bringing her staff member, Linda Moore, to assist with minute taking, communications, and seeing that tasks are completed. Anne explained that she started with DCFS in 1979, left briefly and has been with the department since 1989. She also explained some of her other responsibilities. Many members expressed their frustration with the organization of this group, asking that their time as volunteers is respected.

Diane explained that after the last meeting she wrote a letter to the Director. She read this letter to the group. (A copy of the letter is attached.) The letter resulted in Anne’s appointment as liaison. Maria asked if Anne could keep the group informed about any new legislation. *Libby said that she can ask Gwen to help with obtaining legislation information.

File Review- Libby has started organizing cases to review related to human trafficking. Anne asked if the case reviews are case investigations or case files. Libby is pulling case files. The tentative date for the group to conduct their file review is October 18th, the day before the 23rd Annual Prevent Child Abuse Illinois Statewide Conference at the Lisle/Naperville Hilton. The group has a delinquent file review to catch up on. Roy asked for clarification on the mandate for the review. Libby explained that it is due at the end of this month. Diane recommended that the review waits until October. She feels that finalizing the By Law is more important. *Anne will find a DCFS office with files ready for review. *Anne and Linda need to find out about hotel arrangements. There will be about 22 cases to review. Roy explained that it will be at the Hilton in Lisle or Naperville. The expenses are paid up front by the members and reimbursed by DCFS. Libby cautioned that any expenses that are submitted need to meet DCFS and CMS requirements.

Diane asked for clarification on whether Scan members will get reimbursed. She continued, in the past year the department changed processes without notifying Scan members. Anne clarified that the conference is the Prevent Child Abuse Conference. Some of the members drive in the day before. *Libby will call Anne with the details of past problems. The group agreed by consensus that the case review will be in October and the topic will be Trafficking. *Libby may get a FedEx account to track the travel vouchers.

16th National Citizen’s Review Panel Conference- Audrena and Doris will attend the conference in Alaska. They are departing on May 9th, 2017.

By Law Revisions- Libby suggested the Sub-Committee reconvene to discuss the by-laws. Roy pointed out that Libby has notes from the retreat and these notes should be used to move forward. Roy chaired this committee in the past. *He will schedule a meeting and send the By-Laws to Linda.

Tax Checkoff-Status-Roy would like the details of this tax write off. Do the funds go to another organization? He would like a provision to be made that funds are subject to the advice of the Scan Committee. Diane would like the backstory and history to know why this money goes to the place it currently goes to. *The group would like the legislation that created this fund. Merle or Gwen could give a presentation at the next meeting. *Libby asked that this legislation is sent to the members before the next meeting.

Focus for the rest of the year- The next two meeting dates are April 19 and June 21. The meeting will start at 9:30 a.m. Diane explained that Roy is retiring June 30, but may stay on if Scan gets organized. The file review will be on the night before the conference.

Announcements/Other matters- Audrena said that this is her first time attending the Citizens Review Conference. She would like to know the expectations for reporting back to the committee. Diane will discuss this with her privately. Veatrice asked Libby how we should submit vouchers. She would like to be updated when changes are made to the procedures for travel.

Adjournment- We adjourned at 10:40 a.m. The next meeting is Wednesday, April 19th @ 9:30 a.m.

https://www.illinois.gov/dcfs/aboutus/policy/Documents/SCCAN_Minutes_032217.pdf