* A friend of mine read the post yesterday about Family Focus laying off 100 employees and slashing its services. The group provides parenting classes for DCFS families, “drastically reducing the percentage of parents that reengage with the system.”
My friend said she couldn’t sleep last night and explained why via text message this morning…
I was playing out all the awful scenarios. DCFS is already WAY over capacity in terms of caseloads. Without Family Focus and other similar organizations, those numbers go up. That means more and more children who are being neglected and abused who are just waiting for a grown up to step in and save them will die. That’s not hyperbolic. That’s what actually happens.
Remember when Rauner said Quinn owned the consequences of his dysfunctional DCFS?
We’re talking about getting to a point where there’s a tangible body count. Of children.
* And it’s not just DCFS children. Here’s Mark Brown…
Operators of group homes across Illinois say they are facing a staffing crisis because they can’t pay high enough wages to attract workers.
And they say they can’t pay workers more because for nearly 10 years the state has not increased the reimbursement rates it provides for the care of individuals residing in their homes.
As a result, 13 group homes across Illinois have closed in the past year while another 22 have consolidated, according to the Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities.
That translate into fewer group home openings for the Lenza twins and thousands of other families in a state that was already regarded as woefully short of housing opportunities for disabled adults.
Illinois has more than 8,500 individuals with developmental disabilities on a waiting list for residential services. Even when approved for funding, they often have trouble finding a group home in their area that will accept them.
Go read the whole thing.
…Adding… Pritzker campaign…
Family Focus, an early childhood development center with seven locations across the Greater Chicagoland area, has announced a “mass layoff” amid the historically-long budget crisis manufactured by Bruce Rauner. A stunning 71% of their staff is being let go to end a “severe cash flow crisis” as they wait for $2.7 million in state payments. That amounts to another 100 jobs lost under Rauner’s failed leadership.
Meanwhile, Bruce Rauner spent his day yesterday visiting Iowa to attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony and is the happiest he’s been in 20 years.
“For two and a half years, Bruce Rauner has been utterly tone deaf, saying that ‘we’ll take short-term pain for big long-term gain.’ But these are people we’re talking about, not line items on a budget,” said JB Pritzker. “This is not short term. These are children. You can’t unhurt a child. You can’t redo childhood. The children and families who lose access to these services will be permanently affected. Is Rauner’s special interest agenda worth endangering the lives and well-being of the 17,000 families Family Focus serves?”
…Adding More… From the DGA…
Late last Friday, Governor Rauner’s administration announced the appointment of Beverly Walker to head the state’s troubled Department of Children and Family Services after the resignation of George Sheldon.
Governor Rauner has not, however, gone into any details about the scandals that engulfed DCFS and played a part in the Sheldon’s resignation. Nor has Rauner explained to the public what it was doing to correct the mistakes of the past and prevent future tragedies. In his only public comments on Sheldon’s resignation, Rauner said his administration was “investigating everything” pertaining to the ex-Director’s tenure, yet the public has seen nothing.
All he public knows is that Bruce Rauner did not ask for George Sheldon’s resignation and does not think his hiring was a mistake. That is worrisome for future reform.
“Governor Rauner cannot simply wish away the crisis at the Department of Children and Family Services,” said DGA Illinois Communications Director Sam Salustro. “Governors lead by showing the public they are actively working to address issues, but Bruce Rauner has failed the leadership test by hiding from accountability. The public deserves an acknowledgement from Governor Rauner that his administration failed to protect children and a full accounting of past mistakes.”
- slow down - Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 9:02 am:
This can’t be said enough. What Bruce Rauner sees as leverage is actually the well being of our most vulnerable — abused and neglected children and the disabled. It’s unbelievably disturbing.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 9:13 am:
During the crisis, I was shocked to learn how many charities and support groups are so heavily dependent upon government support and subsidies to operate. It is a mistake to assume that charities are funded by private donations. Many rely upon tax dollars or state contracts.
I was also surprised that in addition to school meal programs that provide meals to students at breakfast and lunch during the school year that an effort is underway to provide meals all year round including summer vacation.
While I do not want to see any child go hungry or suffer, it does beg the question as to whether or not their parents or families have any obligations to the children whatsoever?
- Carhartt Union Negotiating Team - Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 9:16 am:
Unions should be ashamed of themselves.
- Carhartt Union Negotiating Team - Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 9:17 am:
That was snark. This is one big friggin’ mess. And it’s totally avoidable. It is, indeed, broken on purpose as far as I can see it.
- KAY-ro - Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 9:21 am:
You’ve got a General Assembly that’s spent the past 30 years horse-trading the State into a budget quagmire, former goverors like Jim Thompson who overinflated the state workforce to 240,000 employees, all for politcal patronage, (current state headcount is now less than half) helping to creating the $137B pension deficit, governors who wasted billions on highway contractors (their friends) who use defective asphalt, and billions in grants for pet projects, yet its this governor who is destroying social services??? The people who destoryed social services are the ones who wasted billions of taxpayer dollars over the past 30 years. Political savy and the ability to compromise is not exhibited by writing blank checks and taking out mortgages on the future
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 9:22 am:
I run a nonprofit serving children and families facing the dual challenges of poverty and serious health issues. Most families subsist on less than $5K per year. Most of the parents would crawl across broken glass for their kids, but it is really really hard to provide for a family when every support that you would need to do so is yanked out from under you. Affordable housing? Day care while you work? Health care? All threatened, much gone. Let them eat cake.
- illini - Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 9:23 am:
Sharing a local angle on this post - from my small downstate community of 500 people.
Years ago two group homes were built, each licensed for 14 or 16 adults, some of which were able to work in sheltered workshops. Each facility had 5 or 6 full and part-time employees. One has closed and, I understand the other is scheduled to be closed or consolidated as soon as possible.
We also have a “childrens” home facility licensed for up to 40 young adults with developmental, emotional or psychological problems. Staff is at least equal to or probably greater than the residents. Yet when the state is drastically reducing and is as far behind in its contracted payments, changes have to be made. Consequently, one program had to be cut and 6 residents had to find other homes. Nothing was available in Illinois so these individuals have been sent to Wisconsin where the State is obligated to pay almost double the rate for their care. I wonder if Wisconsin is being paid as promptly as our local agencies.
Great way to run a State!
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 9:27 am:
Oh - KAY-ro -
The “30 years” spiel and your hand wringing is embarrassingly noted.
Keep up, won’t you?
Rauner signed contracts with no intention on paying, and planning that those who could make it years without payments will be fine, others need to close.
You’re the “Search” key, it was called the “Squeeze the beast” plan. It was part of what this Raunerism is all about.
I know you may have felt good trying ALL that, but your ignorance to what is actually happening is embarrassing, not by the comment, but by the willful ignorance or the blissful lack of awareness.
So, thanks for not seeing what’s going on, in reality.
- @MisterJayEm - Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 9:36 am:
“yet its this governor who is destroying social services???”
Yes.
And he’s doing exactly what he set out to do.
– MrJM
- Give Me A Break - Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 9:43 am:
“During the crisis, I was shocked to learn how many charities and support groups are so heavily dependent upon government support and subsidies to operate.”
This should not surprise you or anyone else. For the last 30 years, state governments have turned to the private sector to deliver human services. Whether it is closing large state operated mental health and developmental centers or doing away with orphanages, the private not-for-profit world stepped in at the request of governments.
Those same governments are now not paying or slow paying the people the government asked to provide the services. And believe me, the whole system is at the breaking point and if it falls apart, it will cost millions more for the state to rebuild the system or go back into the human service business.
- Lucky Pierre - Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 9:46 am:
So all of Illinois problems started 2 1/2 years ago? Rauner is not paying contracts? Or are they in line with everyone else?
The 30 years of overspending is a spiel and not reality? Even the Speaker admits the beast must be squeezed. We have yet to see what he means by that after two and a half years.
What is embarrassing is that you more than anyone define political savvy by writing blank checks and mortgaging the future.
Isn’t that what labor peace and the Edgar ramp were all about?
Governor Edgar bragging about a surplus because actuarially required pension contributions were pushed into the future to keep those that voted for him happy.
Too many Illinois politicians have been more concerned with reelection than Illinois living within it’s means.
What has Speaker Madigan done to fix Illinois problems and be reasonable and compromise?
- Chicago Cynic - Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 9:50 am:
This is so awful. The pain is so real. I think the Pritzker campaign’s statement really brings this into bold relief.
“These are children. You can’t unhurt a child. You can’t redo childhood. The children and families who lose access to these services will be permanently affected. Is Rauner’s special interest agenda worth endangering the lives and well-being of the 17,000 families Family Focus serves.”
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 9:55 am:
===So all of Illinois problems started 2 1/2 years ago? Rauner is not paying contracts? Or are they in line with everyone else?===
Ask the people getting laid off. The reason? Contracts not being paid.
Willfully ignorant, blissfully unaware. You choose which is you
===The 30 years of overspending is a spiel and not reality? Even the Speaker admits the beast must be squeezed. We have yet to see what he means by that after two and a half years.===
The speaker thinks “sign contracts without paying for services is my plan?” No, that’s Rauner’s plan. Good try, thou.
===What is embarrassing is that you more than anyone define political savvy by writing blank checks and mortgaging the future.===
Raunerism IS signing contracts, then not paying in them. That’s on the agencies and the Administration.
===Isn’t that what labor peace and the Edgar ramp were all about?===
Contracts being paid. That’s an honest thing. Rauner dishonestly went into contracts with NO intention on paying them, unless Labor is destroyed. See the 2012 Rauner quote. No Labor destruction, no worries, social services will fail as planned. That’s Raunerism, that’s Bruce Rauner.
The rest of your drivel is “Because… Madigan!” and 30 years…
Oh…
===Governor Edgar bragging…===
Governors own.
Thanks - Lucky Pierre -
Yes, Governors own.
Rauner owns this destruction.
- Gruntled University Employee - Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 9:55 am:
With all of the talk about outward migration has anyone put pencil to paper on how many NGO jobs this impasse has cost the state and how many of those folks have left?
- Gruntled University Employee - Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 9:58 am:
===While I do not want to see any child go hungry or suffer, it does beg the question as to whether or not their parents or families have any obligations to the children whatsoever? ===
Because blaming the victim always works so well. /s
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 10:01 am:
– ..yet it’s this who’s destroying social services???–
It’s this governor who signed contracts and then intentionally didn’t honor them for two years and counting. On Planet Earth, getting paid for services rendered is critical to staying in business.
How would you be doing if you hadn’t been paid for two years, Rockefeller?
Here’s a writing tip: the use of superfluous punctuation (???) is directly proportional to the fevered lunacy of the statement that incorporates it.
- kitty - Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 10:09 am:
Anonymous @ 9:13, Community based not for profits provide many types of services more effectively and efficiently than the State could with its own workforce. Ironically, Rauner is deliberately holding these cost effective service providers as fiscal hostages in his fervor to destroy organized labor. You asked about family responsibility. If you were a parent earning $10.00 per hour and had a child with a condition involving 24/7 nursing or course of treatment costing thousands per month, where would you go for help? It is Dickensian to suggest that economically marginalized families should be required to depend on the availability of charity as Rauner and his wealthy benefactors suggest.
- Lucky Pierre - Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 10:10 am:
Why aren’t you furious for the decades of overspending and underfunding pensions that have squeezed state revenues to the point where the vulnerable are being hurt at the expense of democratic interest groups?
Is Governor Rauner to blame for the 130 billion in pension debt the Speaker and Senate President enabled?
The trouble with kicking the can down the road is eventually the road ends.
Why didn’t Speaker Madigan leave office before everything hit the fan like Mayor Daley and leave the mess to his successor?
Really tough to figure that one out. Does he want his legacy to be the least solvent state in America?
Where should the beast be squeezed to balance the budget? Labor is off the table, because even small changes would “destroy them”
- @MisterJayEm - Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 10:21 am:
Bruce Rauner has been governor of Illinois for two and a half years, and the state of the state’s social service agencies is self-evident.
Therefore, either 1) Bruce Rauner is doing what he explicitly said he would do back in 2012, or 2) Bruce Rauner is grossly incompetent.
There is no third option.
– MrJM
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 10:22 am:
===Why aren’t you furious for the decades of overspending and underfunding pensions that have squeezed state revenues to the point…===
Yeah, I’m gonna stop you right there.
For the 3,617th time, your willfull ignorance, read McKinney, now also read Rich Miller’s piece on how we got here too. If I agree with them, for the 3,618th time, what the heck is your point?
Rauner said he could “fix” things, no tax increase. Where is that? Oh… This…
===…where the vulnerable are being hurt at the expense of democratic interest groups?===
Rauner signed contracts with special interest groups? You can’t even be honest in an argument of who is getting squeezed. Further, why didn’t Rauner run on refusing to pay contracts, you know, to squeeze the beast?
===Is Governor Rauner to blame for the 130 billion in pension debt the Speaker and Senate President enabled?
The trouble with kicking the can down the road is eventually the road ends===
A budget would cure this actual ill, today. Rauner has blown up budgets. That’s on Rauner. Ask Leader Radogno.
===Why didn’t Speaker Madigan leave office before everything hit the fan like Mayor Daley and leave the mess to his successor?
Really tough to figure that one out. Does he want his legacy to be the least solvent state in America?===
Irrelevant. Now you’re worried about about Madigan’s legacy? You should be worried about Rauner’s statewide 58% disapproval… today.
By nearly every measure, Illinois is worse off since Rauner became governor. So there’s that too.
===Where should the beast be squeezed to balance the budget? Labor is off the table, because even small changes would “destroy them”===
This is THE most telling comment you’ve ever made.
You are advocating “Rauner 2012″
===“In Illinois there’s been a long-time history of what I would call social service, social justice, a bigger role for government in the safety net than in many other states. I think we can drive a wedge issue in the Democratic Party on that topic”
— Bruce Rauner, September 18, 2012===
So the plan is to destroy social services… or agree to destroy Labor…. the state be (redacted).
You advocate the destruction. Right there.
“Choose” you say? Hmm. That’s Rauner 2012, and very telling.
- Sargent Barnes - Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 10:25 am:
The body count is right here, on page five.
257 child deaths reported to DCFS in 2016, 180 reported in FY 2017 with two months still left to go.
- Fixer - Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 10:25 am:
LP, step off the soap box for a second and answer me this: what’s the best course of action, in your mind, going forward? How’s this end?
- Give Me A Break - Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 10:26 am:
“While I do not want to see any child go hungry or suffer, it does beg the question as to whether or not their parents or families have any obligations to the children whatsoever”
Have you ever raised a child with a developmental disability? Do you have any concept of what it costs to care for child with a complex medical condition?
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 10:41 am:
– So all of Illinois problems started 2.5 years ago?–
You okay, little fella? Worn out from all your give and take, so to speak? Because that is the ultimate lame strawman.
In Sunday school, they taught us all the problems started with Adam and Eve and the apple. Since then, one g-d problem after another.
But that is not to be taken as license for willful, misanthropic destruction in pursuit of some alleged economic agenda that is both unquantifiable and incoherent.
Of course, that’s just Rauner’s public rationale. I’m certain the destruction is the objective in and of itself. Only thing that makes sense.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 11:02 am:
Here we are two and a half years into the Governor’s term and the Speaker will finally unveil his “reasonable” compromise today with three days to go in the special session. No rush or anything.
If you can outline a path outside of total capitulation where the Governor could have succeeded after dropping about 47 items from his Turnaround Agenda I am all ears. After all the Speaker has finally admitted in a governmental negotiation you don’t get everything you ask for.
Blowing up the Grand compromise? The Speaker wouldn’t even vote on it during the regular session.
I guess that is fine by you but the Governor laying out his must haves as a co equal branch is totally unreasonable.
Who needs an alleged economic agenda? Everything in Illinois is just fine, no fixes necessary as none have been proposed by Democrats
- Pelonski - Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 11:06 am:
There is plenty of blame to go around for the past, but what’s the point? It doesn’t get us closer to solving the problem. We need a leader for that, and right now, we don’t have one in the Governor’s office or the house. Both are too worried about who gets stuck with the blame for the tax increase that both sides know is needed.
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 11:12 am:
Rauner and his supporters are not moved from their belief that THEY are the victim who need saving. They won’t change their support for Rauner, even if the most extreme scenarios are painted before their eyes.
Rauner’s supporters believe that Illinois must choose between them and the poor. As “taxpayers” they belief that they are morally and ethically superior to those in need, and those who assist them, using taxpayer dollars, a.k.a the union.
Rauner’s supporters believe that government corruption thrives in government programs tending to their needy neighbors. While they are not heartless towards the poor, they don’t want them matching their economic status.
RAUNERITES FEELS VICTIMIZED.
So they don’t trust facts. They are immune to these stories.
- Flynn's Mom - Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 11:15 am:
In my book, this is immoral. The fact that Bruce is happier than he’s been in 20 years adds a new dimension to the immorality.
- Skeptic - Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 11:16 am:
“The Speaker wouldn’t even vote on it during the regular session.” The Speaker is supposed to vote on a Senate bill?
- Honeybear - Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 11:47 am:
Anonymous 9:13
About parental responsibility
They pretty much have year round lunches and activities in East St Louis. We are lucky in that a lot of funding comes from across the river. 80% of kids here start s year behind. Poverty is bone crushing here where I work for the state. Unemployment is epidemic and the jobs aren’t here, especially for uneducated minority applicants. The barriers to self sufficiency are nearly insurmountable. Yet, they are good people. They love their children and they are doing the best they can. I love my direct work with them. Very rarely do I find a person who is not worth the effort of trying to help. Even with those the “attitude” is a defense mechanism easily disarmed by our competent caseworkers.
We must do better for them
We must
I am doing all I can from the front line.
We need full funding
- thoughts matter - Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 11:49 am:
In a perfect word, free breakfast or lunch would not need to be provided. This is not a perfect world.
No one can predict when they decide to have a child what their finances will be like years from now. Layoffs, company merges, plant closings, injury, work comp injuries, illness, developmental disabilities on the child’s part, unplanned additions to the family, such as ill grandparents, siblings children, etc. drain finances.
Second, if you need help feeding your kid breakfast or lunch during the school year, you need it during the long summer months too.
- independent - Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 11:53 am:
Illinois has had many years of structural deficits because of a flat and regressive tax structure. Has there been misspending of course, its a political system run by human beings. Have property taxes gone too high yes they have, are pensions for some highly paid school and state workers to much? Yes. Did we skip paying pensions when we should not have, because we have a structural deficit? Also yes. Its going to take a progressive tax structure and many years to repair this. The question is do our elected officials have the intelligence and political will to solve it. Probably not.
- Miss Marie - Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 11:57 am:
“While I do not want to see any child go hungry or suffer, it does beg the question as to whether or not their parents or families have any obligations to the children whatsoever?”
Really??? Do you think DCFS takes away kids from their families because it’s bored? The 1st steps of DCFS is to see what they can do to keep the kids with the parents or another family member. But if a child is being abuse or molested by a parent or family member, then they need to get that kid out ASAP!
“I was also surprised that in addition to school meal programs that provide meals to students at breakfast and lunch during the school year that an effort is underway to provide meals all year round including summer vacation.”
The only meal some children eat are the ones they are provided at school. They are screwed when school is out of session, so these programs are vital. You can’t help what family you’re born into, and if these programs stop, the main people it hurts are hungry kids.
- Daniel Plainview - Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 11:57 am:
- While I do not want to see any child go hungry or suffer, it does beg the question as to whether or not their parents or families have any obligations to the children whatsoever? -
While you sit around waiting for an answer to that question, kids are still hungry. Savvy?
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 12:04 pm:
Oswego Willy claimed to be a Thompsonite last week.
Bear that in mind.
- Markus - Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 12:40 pm:
LP, It’s not 30 years ago; deal with the present situation. All of Rauner’s original 30+ reforms added up to 1.4% savings against the budget; his numbers. The remaining ones by definition must be less but to date he has not provided a supportable number to judge them. His willful stiffing of vendors over the last 2.5 years is costing “taxpayers” more in late payment fees than his reforms will ever recover. We don’t need ideological “reforms”. More efficient processes with metrics to support them will never be dismissed on their merits; if they are, then you have a legitimate beef. Until then, get hold of a calculator and start supporting a few of your statements.
- Chicago Cynic - Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 12:46 pm:
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 11:02 am
…
How’s the mood over there in Rauner re-elect HQ?
- Demoralized - Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 12:49 pm:
==So all of Illinois problems started 2 1/2 years ago?==
Well, yeah, actually the current problems did. But you are too busy constantly deflecting to have an actual honest conversation. You’re too busy playing the victim card every single day.
- Demoralized - Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 12:52 pm:
== it does beg the question as to whether or not their parents or families have any obligations to the children whatsoever==
Is that you Rep. Ives?
- Helpless and hopeless - Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 1:58 pm:
“DCFS is already WAY over capacity in terms of caseloads. Without Family Focus and other similar organizations, those numbers go up. That means more and more children who are being neglected and abused who are just waiting for a grown up to step in and save them will die. That’s not hyperbolic. That’s what actually happens.”
“This is not short term. These are children. You can’t unhurt a child. You can’t redo childhood. The children and families who lose access to these services will be permanently affected.”
Yep so who’s at “fault” when diversion & child welfare system fall short? The media blasts alarms about decision-making, many times WITHOUT informing the public of the reality that laws would need to be changed to provide legal muster to remove a child. Frontline staff get blamed. Current administrations blame prior administrations. Lawmakers hold hearings. Still exec & legis fail to provide sufficient budgets. Where was the dismay that DCFS’ proposed FY18 budget includes huge increases for IT, but not for family preservation or any contribution to the increased cost of doing business that’s shouldered by providers working without increases for years? What about when lawmakers act ridiculously…endangering kids’ lives is NOT more important than term limits, procurement reform, workers comp, or whatever else is the hot button du jour. (Before anyone says this is partisan, think and explain in your retort the number of lives lost that is acceptable in the short-term for the long-term.)
Ultimately, it’s us, the voters. We are to blame. We don’t stand up to our electeds when they act ridiculously. We complain about paying taxes and the size/value of govt. We don’t stay informed on issues.
Work in child welfare is the absolute hardest work that has to be done. If anyone wants to challenge that, go spend a year doing the work so you can come home with that weight on your mind, trauma of what you’ve seen, physical exhaustion from running around carrying kids on your hips, and the inadequate sleep you get from waking up in the middle of the night for on-call emergencies or the mere fact that you think you forgot to do something.