DCFS denies claim that agency uses uncertified interns to investigate
families
[August 12, 2025]
By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
(The Center Square) – A state lawmaker says he has documentation to show
that the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services used
uncertified interns to investigate families.
State Rep. Jed Davis, R-Yorkville, said the investigations by interns
have led to children being removed from homes.
“Clearly, in statute, you need both a license and a certification to
conduct a child-abuse investigation, and DCFS has been using interns
with only one of those, with only the license requirement,” Davis told
The Center Square.
The Department of Children and Family Services disputed Davis’ claims on
Monday.
“Representative Davis has both the law and facts wrong. Every DCFS
employee who is conducting child and abuse investigations is qualified
and certified to do so. DCFS attempted multiple times to explain this to
the Representative and his associates, including in a face-to-face
meeting scheduled prior to the press release, which Representative Davis
cancelled,” a DCFS spokesperson said in a statement to The Center
Square.
Davis said he canceled the meeting after DCFS refused his request to
include other relevant parties in the discussion, while the department
intended to have multiple representatives on their side.
“This scenario is the definition of an unbalanced and inefficient
conversation, and it undermines a full, fair and informed dialogue,”
Davis said.
The DCFS spokesperson said, contrary to Davis’ press release, that
employees qualified to conduct investigations are “child protection
investigators” that meet the standards set forth in the Child Protective
Investigator and Child Welfare Specialist Certification Act of 1987.
“The press release confuses Central Management Services (CMS) title
classifications with what the Department is permitted to do under the
law. The law nowhere requires that only those holding the CMS
classification of 'Child Protection Specialist' (CPS) be permitted to
investigate reports of abuse and neglect. Other CMS-titled positions can
be certified to conduct investigations, including the Child and Family
Services Interns,” the statement said.
According to DCFS, the intern (CFSI) roles have been an intentional and
successful pipeline program to help DCFS bring in new talent and ensure
that investigator caseload is manageable for staff and abides with legal
requirements.
The spokesperson insisted that DCFS complies fully with the
Certification Act.
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|
The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS)
building in Springfield.
By Greg Bishop | The Center Square
“DCFS has developed guidelines for education and profession requirements
and a curriculum in child protection investigations. Regardless of their
CMS titles, any DCFS employee conducting an investigation is qualified
to do so if they are 18 years of age, has a bachelor’s degree related to
human services, completed the investigation specific curriculum of
study, passed an investigations examination, and apply to the department
in writing. DCFS requires all of the above for anyone conducting an
investigation, whether a CPS or a CFSI, ensuring that they are qualified
and certified under the law. They then receive a certified status
document in the form of their Child Welfare Employee License,” the
statement concluded.
Davis said DCFS used a broad statement to say the interns’ licenses
count as certification.
“It’s great to say, but the Illinois law completely contradicts that. It
does not count as a certification, so they are conducting investigations
unlawfully. In my opinion, here locally, it’s led to a child being
removed from a home who shouldn’t have,” Davis said.
The Republican lawmaker and Illinois Freedom Caucus member said it’s a
big issue DCFS may be trying to deflect.
“You know, I didn’t just write this on a whim. I made sure that all of
our ducks were in a row before we released this press release this
morning,” Davis said.
According to Davis, the local case near his home is a real-world example
of DCFS investigating unlawfully as evidenced by documentation on DCFS
letterhead.
“We have a [Freedom of Information Act] document saying, ‘Here’s the
name of the investigator. Her title is an intern. Please let us know if
she is certified,’ and the FOIA back from the Department says, ‘No, she
is not,’” Davis said.
As a foster parent, Davis said he understands there may be cases where
interns investigated, and the kids should indeed have been lawfully
removed from the home.
The questions follow Statehouse Republicans’ call for accountability
from Gov. J.B. Pritzker last month, after the Illinois Auditor General
released a report showing that 29 of 34 findings at DCFS were repeated
issues from prior years.
State Rep. Tom Weber, R-Fox Lake, listed children who died while on DCFS
radar and said Republicans have tried to bring about oversight.
“That is a problem that comes with failed leadership,” Weber said.
Greg Bishop contributed to this story. |
