DCFS and the Family Policing System: What Birth Workers Need to Know

Monday Nov. 18 & Wed. Nov. 20th 6:30pm (virtual)

In this two-part virtual series, participants will learn and engage with the legal history and current framework of mandated reporting and DCFS investigations in Illinois. Part I of the series will focus on what mandated reporting is and its history, including who is deemed a mandated reporter by law in Illinois, and what happens after a call is made to DCFS' hotline. Part II will then be a Know-Your-Rights session to discuss legal rights and resources for folks to know if they or loved ones or clients are facing a DCFS investigation. In both sessions, we will discuss why it is especially important for birth workers supporting Black, Indigenous, and otherwise marginalized birthing folks to have a deep understanding of how the family policing system operates.  

  • Note: Folks can register for and attend either session individually or both as a series. Part II will build on information discussed in Part I, so for those interested particularly in Part II, it would be beneficial to attend both sessions.   

Cost of attendance is on a sliding scale. Please see below. 

  • For who is Black, Indigenous, and/or identifies as impacted by the family policing system you can give a donation to Sokana in an amount of your choosing.

  • For those who do not fall into the description above, the cost for each session is $75.

  • Nobody will be turned away due to inability to pay.  If you are unable to pay the cost outlined above, please pay what you are able.

MEET THE FACILITATOR:

Tanya (she/her/hers) is an advocate with a background in law and social work. Her work is centered on stopping the harms of the family policing system (commonly referred to as the "child welfare system"), honoring and amplifying what communities continuously do to show up and care for one another, and contributing to building what does not yet exist that our communities deserve. In her current role as Senior Policy Manager at the National Center for Youth Law, she engages in legislative advocacy, campaign work, coalition building, public education, and narrative shifting. Throughout her advocacy, Tanya seeks to center Black, Indigenous, LGBTQ+, and other targeted youth, families, and communities.

Over the course of her legal career prior to joining the National Center for Youth Law, Tanya has defended Chicago tenants in subsidized housing against eviction; represented youth experiencing homelessness in Chicago in a variety of legal matters; and engaged in state and federal policy advocacy focused on keeping families together, supported in their communities, and out of the family policing system. 

You can connect with Tanya directly at tgassenheimer@youthlaw.org.