* WMAY…

State child welfare investigators say they are being put in danger during the pandemic… and are calling for changes in some of the rules governing their jobs.

AFSCME Council 31 is calling on the Department of Children and Family Services to allow investigators to perform some of their work through phone or video calls, instead of direct face-to-face contact. The union says investigators would still meet face to face to determine a child’s immediate health and safety, but they say not all interviews require that.

The union is also asking for more personal protection equipment for employees.

* Peoria Public Radio…

Anne Irving, regional director for AFSCME Local 31, said the goal is not to discontinue in-person visits, but to avoid putting people at risk unnecessarily.

For example, she said, in cases where a child is hospitalized and being cared for by medical providers, away from the perpetrator, the recommendation would be to delay the visit or minimize the recurrence of visits, in order to not have investigators moving in and out of the hospital.

“I don’t think it’s going to be an overwhelming number of their contacts … involving children, but I think those contacts involving other adults in the household, for example — those could lead to a significant reduction in the face-to-face, without having any impact on the safety of the child,” she said.

Irving said it could also be applied to cases involving teenagers, when they’re not in imminent danger. She said in cases where in-person contact is necessary, the recommendation would be to conduct those interview outside, practice social distancing, and wear protective equipment.

Referencing DCFS data, Irving said 15 department employees have tested positive for COVID-19 since April 8. Another 38 have reportedly been “COVID exposed” as of April 21.

* DCFS issued a response. An excerpt…

There have been significant changes made to the practice of investigations during this crisis to ensure investigators are staying healthy and safe, while also ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the children and families we serve.

The hotline and investigators use screening questions before ever coming into contact with any family.

If there are concerns about the family being COVID-19 exposed, investigators can adjust how they engage parents to preserve everyone’s safety. This includes conducting interviews outdoors, having parents use video to walk the investigator through the home, and practicing social distancing.

When necessary, investigators call on law enforcement or emergency medical services to assist.

DCFS has provided protective gear to our staff, including more than 850,000 gloves, nearly 500,00 masks, and 997 gallons of hand sanitizer. We have an estimated 30-day supply of protective gear available for all direct services staff with additional inventory arriving all the time.

The department has worked closely with the Illinois Department of Public Health and our private agency partners to setup COVID-19 testing sites around the state that make it easier for DCFS staff to be tested quickly.

Beginning in March, the department has been meeting regularly with AFSCME to hear their concerns and collaborate on ensuring the safety of staff during this crisis. DCFS continues to be willing to meet and discuss their ongoing concerns.

* Related…

* Watching out for Illinois’ most vulnerable kids becomes all the harder during a pandemic: About 85% of DCFS’s operations are being conducted remotely. This includes remote interviews of children, foster parents and other care providers. Even operators at DCFS’s child abuse hotline are handling calls remotely, from their homes.