View the Cook Region transformation team timeline
Cook Transformation Team Recommendations for DCFS Strategic Plan
Cook Region Transformation Team Member 2016
VISION / MISSION STATEMENT
The Transformation Team acknowledges that racism continues to influence child welfare policies and decisions that impact children and families that risk of disruption of their life.
Our vision is to transform the Cook Region child welfare system into one that is comprised solely of anti-racist institutions. The child welfare system will employ professionals who are committed to racial equity and safely preserve and strengthen all families. These professionals will promote every family’s right to
self determination and every child’s right to achieve timely permanency. We recognize the importance of authentic dialogue, and actions free of racial bias in the practice of child welfare.
ABOUT COOK REGION TRANSFORMATION TEAM
The Transformation Team was created to examine institutional and systemic issues. The Transformation Team includes a diverse group of concerned parents, former youth in care, child welfare professionals, court personnel, private agency staff, university and community representatives, who work towards the elimination of racial bias along the child welfare continuum. These individuals created a strategic plan, which included specific issues and recommendations aimed at the promotion of racial equity in the delivery of child welfare services for all families.
Members of the Transformation Team are vehicles for change throughout the child welfare system. They raise issues within their organizations, and challenge practices that promote racial inequalities. Some of the Transformation Team recent projects include:
-Support the of Fictive Kinship Initiative in its original form
- Recommendations accepted
-Recommended inclusion of culturally sensitive language in Procedure 315
- Recommendations accepted
-Proposed standards for Visitation Rooms
- Lead an effort at DCFS Emerald site
- Ongoing work in progress
-Added Team membership to the Racial Equity subcommittee of CWAC
-Presented the full Strategic Plan to Director Sheldon
- Received support of many recommendations
MEMBERSHIP
We invite interested parties to become a member of our Transformation Team. Diversity is of great importance to our group. Therefore, as criterion for inclusion on the Transformation Team we consider one’s age, gender, race, geography, public/private participation, community-based participation, membership in a leadership position, and one’s ability to effect change.
To be a member of the Transformation Team one should be interested in racial equity and a reduction in racial disparity. Prospective members must show an interest in inclusion with a group of committed people who actively work to influence change in our child welfare system.
An application for consideration is attached below. Interested participants are advised that an Informational Meeting is the beginning of the Application Process. A formal application will be tendered and collected at the completion of the Informational Meeting. The Transformation Team Steering Committee will review the application for membership. If accepted as a member, participants are required to complete a two day anti-racism training.
COOK REGION TRANSFORMATION TEAM INITIAL MEMBER APPLICATION
