The below statement can be attributed to Heidi Dalenberg, Director of the Institutional Reform Project, ACLU of Illinois:

“While we always knew that the State ultimately would move children into a managed care plan for their health care, we remained concerned about the process and the timing in the midst of a pandemic. But now, we must focus on the most critical issues: Assuring that children, as well as their parents and foster parents, are able to access the life-saving health care the children require. 

We will continue to work with DCFS on this serious change for youth in care in hopes of assuring that the transition is as smooth and safe as possible for all impacted families. As we continue those discussions with the State, we encourage parents and foster parents to contact us if they are concerned that the transition to the managed care system will disrupt their child’s necessary medical care, or if they experience any barriers to getting children medical care after September 1st.”