DCFS union says they've been pulling for investigator safety measures for years

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WICS/WRSP) — After two Department of Children and Family Services employees were killed in the last five years trying to protect kids, we're digging deeper into what it takes to become a DCFS investigator, and how the department is keeping them safe on the job.

DCFS says investigators go through six weeks of "foundations" training, which they're required to pass.

Safety is part of that curriculum.

Then, they shadow other investigators and work with their supervisor, which includes safety modeling.

New investigators are given smaller cases to get accustomed to the workflow before taking on a full caseload.

DCFS says there are other safety trainings and lessons at all of these levels, including a training introduced after the death of Pam Knight that covers de-escalation, active shooter response, and situational awareness.

Members of ASCFME 31, the union representing DCFS workers, have been meeting with DCFS management for years asking for more safety measures, and they're hoping this tragedy will help shed light on just how much they're needed.

Deaths like Deidre Silas's are uncommon--an investigator killed while responding to reports of children in danger.

But those in child welfare say harassments and even assault aren't uncommon at all.

"It can be extremely difficult and it can be dangerous," said Anne Irving, the union liaison for DCFS.

In the last four years, Irving and the ASCFME members have been fighting for more safety measures as they work with DCFS.

There's now security staff at every office.

Workers could take a self defense course before COVID-19 hit, but they still want more options for their members to continue that education.

Irving says things like pepper spray and physical alarm systems are things investigators should have the ability to carry.

Irving says the union pushed for pepper spray previously, but they were denied. They're hoping to reintroduce the idea soon.

"Anything our members can get that increases their safety is something that we're gonna be pressing for," Irving said.

But Silas, like most other investigators, worked alone.

"They can step up the level of support they receive depending on the level of concern they have for the environment in which they're walking into," DCFS Director Marc Smith said at a press conference Wednesday.

But getting support could mean waiting longer to respond to a report, leaving a child in a dangerous situation for a longer amount of time.

"I feel like they're too willing to put their own safety at risk cause they're so worried about the safety of kids," Irving said, of the investigators. "We shouldn't put them in that position."

In the wake of Silas's death, some have proposed requiring two people to go in the field instead of one, but Irving says that should be up to the investigators themselves.

"What we want is the resources so they can make that decision and feel that they are timely responding to the needs of children," Irving explained.

DCFS is actively trying to hire more investigators, but court documents show the number has fallen short for more than 30 years.

Last March, a judge granted DCFS until 2024 to meet the investigator quota.

Union reps tell me more cases mean more pressure on each investigator, which could affect how prepared they are when they step into these homes.

Irving says she hopes the story of Silas's love for her job inspires more people to do it.

She says it takes a lot of training and a lot of heart, but the job itself is of the utmost importance to Illinois kids.

Illinois lawmakers are now sounding off about this investigator shortage.

In a series of tweets, Rep. Maurice West, of Rockford, says "We can't increase staff when applicants find jobs elsewhere because they can't afford to wait for the state. We need to expedite the hiring process to work for the state or this will happen again."