Illinois Department of Children and Family Services
FFY 2012 Annual Progress and Services Report
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with providers on a regular basis, and mediate in situations where there may be obstacles
towards wards receiving necessary services
Early Childhood Training: Early Childhood Training Component (ECTC) is a resource
available statewide to caseworkers, supervisors, clinical screeners and clinical
supervisors for training and needs assessment in several key areas which include the
following: proper administration, interpretation, and referral determination for the
standardized screening tools used; knowledge of specific evaluation and/or observation
techniques with special populations such as medically fragile infants; knowledge of child
development and behavior; knowledge of early child health and growth issues in
children such as failure to thrive or the impact of prenatal substance exposure on early
development; and knowledge of complex trauma issues and their impact on early
childhood development.
Child Youth and Investment Team (CAYIT): Across the state, Early Childhood Placement
staff participates in CAYIT staffings for children under the age of 5.
Consultation to DCFS/Contractual staff: To support the Department’s goals of serving
the needs of young children in foster care, the Early Childhood Project provides a clinical
view of development and the effects of trauma on very young children, via involvement
with multiple divisions and programs within DCFS and the private sector. Early
Childhood staff provides consultation to staff throughout the department on various
topics including: development, social-emotional concerns, and policy issues.
Acquisition and monitoring of Early Childhood Services: The program is focused on
identifying available early childhood services, developing a variety of collaborations with
public and private human service and early intervention organizations, in an effort to
maximize the opportunities for young children in care to obtain needed support. Long
standing collaborations with the Bureau of Early Intervention, various program affiliated
with the Chicago Public Schools, Action for Children, and Erikson Institute’s Fussy Baby
and Center for Children and Families, have made it possible for many children to receive
therapeutic and supportive services.
Major Components of the Early Childhood Intact Family (CAPTA) Services Program include:
Developmental Screenings, Referrals, and Coordination: Through the Program’s
Developmental Specialists, who are licensed Master’s level professionals trained in
mental health and early childhood development, developmental screenings are offered by
the Program to all children birth to age three in families meeting the Intact Family
Services criteria as well as to clients served through the TPSN program.
Consultation to Birth Parents: One of the benefits of this program is the inclusion of birth
parents in the screening process. The Developmental Specialist includes the parents in
every aspect of the screening, observes the parent-child interactions, and offers support
and guidance that are specific to the needs of the family, as well as offering service
recommendations based on the needs of the family as expressed by the parent. Parent
handouts regarding everyday ways of supporting children’s healthy growth and
development at home, as well as targeting specific developmental and parenting issues as
needed, are given to further support parents’ efforts in understanding and meeting the
needs of their young children.
