TASK FORCE-HUMAN SERVICES

Amends the Task Force on Human Services Contracting Act. Provides that membership of the Task Force on State Contracting with Private Nonprofit Human Service Providers shall consist of, among other appointees, 6 (currently, 7) members appointed by the President of the Senate and 6 (currently, 7) members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 20 ILCS 5140/10 Adds reference to: 20 ILCS 505/21.2a new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. 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 and the Academy's innovative approach to training frontline child protection investigators using experiential learning through simulations. Provides that subject to appropriations, the Department of Children and Family Services, in collaboration with the University of Illinois at Springfield, shall continue operating the Academy. Provides that the training efforts of the Academy shall include, but not be limited to: (i) the continued development of foundation and simulation training for all child protection investigators, including those newly hired and seasoned investigators; (ii) the development of simulation training for intake 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, and mock forensic interview rooms that allow for simulated, interactive, and intensive training. Requires the Department to adopt rules, by July 1, 2020, for the administration of the 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. Provides that the Department shall continue to arrange for an independent evaluation of the Academy for at least the first 5 years of operation to determine whether it is meeting the goals described in the amendatory Act. Effective immediately.