Bill Text: IL SB1889 | 2019-2020 | 101st General Assembly | Chaptered

---

Bill Title: Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Contains findings concerning the Child Protection Training Academy (Academy) developed in 2015 by the Department of Children and Family Services in collaboration with the University of Illinois at Springfield and the Academy's innovative approach to training frontline child protection investigators using experiential learning through simulations. Provides that subject to appropriation, the training efforts of the Academy shall include, but not be limited to: (i) the continued development and implementation of simulation training for investigation, intact, and permanency supervisors; (ii) the development of simulation training for intact and permanency workers both in the Department and at private agencies; and (iii) laboratory training facilities that may include, but not be limited to, mock houses, mock courtrooms, mock medical facilities, and mock forensic interview rooms. Provides that by July 1, 2020, the Department of Children and Family Services may adopt procedures for the administration of the Child Protection Training Academy that establish certain competence, assessment, and training standards for child welfare service providers and other matters. Requires the Department to continue to arrange for an independent evaluation of the Child Protection Training Academy through June 2021, inclusive of the first 5 years of operation. Provides that nothing in the amendatory Act prohibits the Department from administering simulation training with other entities outside of the University of Illinois at Springfield. Provides that the Department may contract with any entity to provide all aspects of child welfare training. Effective immediately.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)

Status: (Passed) 2019-08-23 - Public Act . . . . . . . . . 101-0569 [SB1889 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2019-SB1889-Chaptered.html

---

Public Act 101-0569
SB1889 Enrolled LRB101 08050 RJF 53112 b
AN ACT concerning State government.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
Section 5. The Children and Family Services Act is amended
by adding Section 21.2a as follows:
(20 ILCS 505/21.2a new)
Sec. 21.2a. The Department of Children and Family Services'
Child Protection Training Academy.
(a) Findings. The General Assembly finds and declares all
of the following:
(1) The Department of Children and Family Services
collaborated with the University of Illinois at
Springfield to develop the Child Protection Training
Academy in 2015.
(2) The Child Protection Training Academy represents
an innovative approach to training frontline child
protection investigators using experiential learning
through simulations. Simulations provide a safe learning
environment that bridges the gap between policy and
practice, increases worker engagement, and accelerates
learning.
(3) Research indicates that traditional classroom
training results in less than a 15% transfer of knowledge

once in the field.
(b) Subject to appropriation, the training efforts of the
Child Protection Training Academy shall include, but not be
limited to, the following:
(1) The continued development of simulation training
for all child protection investigators, including those
newly hired and seasoned investigators.
(2) The continued development and implementation of
simulation training for investigation, intact, and
permanency supervisors.
(3) The development of simulation training for intact
and permanency workers both in the Department and at
private agencies.
(4) The development of simulation-based training
curricula on recognizing and responding to cases of child
abuse or neglect for mandated reporters.
(5) The development of simulation-based training for
multidisciplinary teams in partnership with the
Department, including, but not limited to, the use of mock
medical and mock forensic facilities.
(6) Cultural competency training for investigative
staff that provides tools and other supports to ensure that
a child welfare provider's response to and engagement with
families and children of color are: (i) conducted or
provided in a manner that is responsive to the beliefs,
interpersonal styles, attitudes, language, and behaviors

of the individuals who are receiving services; and (ii)
conducted or provided in a manner that has the greatest
likelihood of ensuring maximum success of or participation
in the child welfare program or services being provided.
(7) Laboratory training facilities that may include,
but not be limited to, mock houses, mock courtrooms, mock
medical facilities, and mock forensic interview rooms that
allow for simulated, interactive, and intensive training.
(8) Minimum standards of competence that staff shall be
required to demonstrate prior to receiving Child Welfare
Employee Licensure certification from the Department.
(c) By July 1, 2020, the Department of Children and Family
Services may adopt procedures for the administration of the
Child Protection Training Academy that not only establish
statewide competence, assessment, and training standards for
persons providing child welfare services, but that also ensure
that persons who provide child welfare services have the
knowledge, skills, professionalism, and abilities to make
decisions that keep children safe and secure. The Department
shall continue to arrange for an independent evaluation of the
Child Protection Training Academy through June 2021, inclusive
of the first 5 years of operation. Nothing in this Section
prohibits the Department from administering simulation
training with other entities outside of the University of
Illinois at Springfield. The Department may contract with any
entity to provide all aspects of child welfare training.