The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) unveiled the expansion of its Domestic Violence Co-Location Program (DVCLP) to include Springfield and Belleville, broadening their existing network designed to address the interplay of child welfare and domestic violence. Detailed in a recent press release, this development introduces domestic violence advocates directly into the field offices of Sangamon and St. Clair counties, where they will consult with and bolster child welfare workers dealing with such complex cases.
Building on a series of successful collaborations which began in 2019, the program has grown through various partnerships and grant support, now serving multiple regions with the aid of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services—yet, these regions continue to grapple with domestic violence as an urgent issue crossing economic and social boundaries, and the addition of two new sites underlines Illinois's commitment to forging alliances that strengthen families. "Breaking the cycle requires wrapping families with a network of supports," DCFS Director Heidi E. Mueller told officials, highlighting the importance of a unified approach to domestic violence and child welfare.
The Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV) and The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence, along with domestic violence agencies like Sojourn Shelter and Services and the Violence Prevention Center of Southwestern Illinois, are critical to the implementation of the DVCLP. These organizations contribute not only through direct service provision but also by shouldering the weight of advocacy and education geared towards shifting societal attitudes and systemic structures that perpetuate violence and coercion within familial units.
In Sangamon County, Sojourn Shelter and Services CEO Angela Bertoni expressed excitement over the opportunity to educate DCFS staff and directly aid adults and children impacted by domestic violence, Sojourn aims to serve as an essential connector to resources and advocacy, all the while "Ascend Justice is proud to be a partner of the Domestic Violence Co-Location Program (DVCLP). We are thrilled that the DVCLP has been able to expand to a total of six sites across Illinois," Sara Block, managing director of advocacy and partnerships, explained to Illinois officials, signaling a future where the entire state benefits from this proactive program. Meanwhile, in 2023, the DVCLP reported assisting 593 families, which included 1,577 individuals and 958 children in Cook, Winnebago, and Lake counties.
For those needing to report suspected child abuse or neglect, DCFS reminds the public that reports can be made anonymously via the state’s website, childabuse.illinois.gov. Additional support for survivors of domestic violence is accessible through the Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline operated by The Network, showcasing a multi-faceted approach to a pervasive social ill that afflicts a myriad of families and individuals across the state of Illinois.
