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The audit revealed that children in DCFS care are not receiving
well-child visits or check-ups as required. In a sample of 50
cases, auditors failed to find documentation for 16% of required
physical examinations, 29% of vision screenings, 63% of hearing
screenings and 51% of dental exams and cleanings.
Another key finding by the OAG said DCFS was unable to provide
82% of the required home safety checklists within a sample of 50
cases.
“If you check my kids or my daughter's grades in school, 18% is
a massive F. It really is concerning, and we're failing kids
continually,” state Rep. Jed Davis, R-Yorkville, told The Center
Square.
Davis said the auditor general’s office refused to share source
reports it received from DCFS.
“I would really like to dig in and see the actual data behind it
all, because the numbers that are being presented, based on some
FOIAs that we've done in the past, there's a lot of
discrepancies,” Davis said.
Auditors looked at the number of DCFS staff vacancies reported
in December 2024 and recommended that the agency take steps to
make sure its operations divisions are adequately staffed and
that there is an adequate number of supervisors.
Davis has battled with DCFS in the past over the agency’s use of
interns as investigators.
The Yorkville Republican said DCFS is failing to check the boxes
for compliance.
“And if we're failing in checking the box, how much more are we
failing in dealing with the actual humanity of the kids that are
caught in the system?” Davis said.
Davis said, as a foster parent himself, he has had to undo
trauma suffered by kids who were caught in the system.
Greg Bishop contributed to this story
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