CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Lawmakers are again digging into DCFS, subject of a scathing state audit.
One-hundred-twelve kids who had been in DCFS care have died since July 1, the start of the state's fiscal year, including nine in the past nine days. The department's inspector general, Meryl Paniak, told a House panel doing the same things and expecting different results won't work.
"We have to do something," Paniak said. "We can't just let the Titanic keep sinking."
Paniak said overworked caseworkers are prone to mistakes, and some will simply mark a case "unfounded" just to get rid of it and save time.
New director Marc Smith, whose appointment is pending Senate confirmation, said he will put a priority on retraining workers.
"You are never going to be your best if you haven't had somebody to talk to and review your skill set in years," Smith said. "Your best work comes from enhancement."
One lawmaker said too many people just see DCFS as an agency which kills children and can't be trusted.
