Director on Illinois' new family support plan: 'Our kids are best in a
family setting'
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[November 12, 2021]
By Elyse Kelly
(The Center Square) – Illinois’ Family
First Prevention Plan was recently approved by the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services.
The federal government is providing funding to states to focus on
transforming their child welfare systems by focusing on supporting
families. By using research-proven interventions, Illinois’ plan aims to
strengthen families in crisis to prevent situations where children end
up in foster care, according to a news release from the state.
Program Manager Kevin Gordon says there is a stigma around kids in the
foster care system.
“The traumatic events that happen to a child from entering the system
have a long-term effect, and so these are some of the things we are
trying to deter by not even having them enter the system in the first
place,” he said.
Keeping kids at home whenever possible is the goal, he says.
“Keeping our families together, trying to give them the support that
strengthens the families, but hopefully to realize their dreams
ultimately, because our kids are best in a family setting,” he said.
Gordon outlined three main areas of focus.
“Those evidence-based interventions fall within about three areas, and
so that’s mental health, substance abuse and parenting programming,” he
said.
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There are eight interventions in all including home
visiting, nurturing parenting programs, multi-system therapy and
trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, according to Gordon,
but they are very excited about one in particular called
motivational interviewing.
“It gives those parents, it gives the children, the confidence that
they need, the self-esteem, to want to change and not get frustrated
when there may be a setback or a challenge that comes about, but
that they will continue on with the plan because they have the
necessary skill set,” he said.
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He hopes this will help families break cycles.
The nurturing parenting program will help instill parenting skills
into young parents while the multi-system therapy will focus on
communities and families and aims to help juveniles who are already
in the system, according to Gordon.
Gordon pointed out the state of Illinois has over 3,100 direct
service case workers and providers in this program.
“It’s a monumental effort,” he said. |