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Press release…
Today, the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) is announcing that, starting tomorrow, Monday, March 30, 14 Family Community Resource Centers (FCRC) will remain open with reduced staff to balance the need to provide essential services while meeting Center for Disease Control (CDC) social distancing guidelines during the coronavirus situation. FCRCs are the public facing benefits offices that bring nutrition and medical supports to individuals and families across the state. […]
IDHS’s ultimate goal is to have as few FCRC offices open as possible, while still ensuring that all customers are able to receive their life-sustaining benefits. For those offices that remain open, IDHS will continue to take steps to ensure social distancing, customer and employee safety. […]
The 14 of the 75 public facing FCRCs remaining open will have a reduced workforce of 30%- 50% of staff. Staff who are not working at the public-facing offices will continue working remotely to process important benefits, and over 80 in-person local office caseworkers will become statewide ABE (Access to Benefits Electronically) call center agents in addition to the nearly 100 call center agents that are already in place.
The department developed these changes in partnership with AFSCME Council 31, other bargaining units, and advocacy organizations across the state.
There’s more, so click here.
In addition, AFSCME 31 Executive Director Roberta Lynch told me through a spokesperson…
(W)e are continuing to urge DHS to close all its offices as soon as it can be assured that clients have access to needed services via phone and/or web. In the meantime, we are urging the department to rotate which offices remain open.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Mar 30, 20 @ 11:53 am
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This is unprecedented, and the needs of pubic assistance customers must be balanced with the safety of workers. IDHS should absolutely be looking at expanding remote access for both customers and workers. This is such a critical time due to expanded need for public assistance, with so many people out of work.
Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Mar 30, 20 @ 11:59 am
FCRC’s are some of the worst places to work in terms of air quality and facilities. Windows couldn’t be opened due to security and cleanliness wasn’t a priority. And this was before this crisis. Yet, the clients will need services, and hopefully the caseworkers can work remotely in many cases.
Comment by Top of the State Monday, Mar 30, 20 @ 12:40 pm
At a different State agency a friend works for, they are alternating staff days in the office to keep the distancing. A given person is just working in office every 2nd or 3rd day because of how crowded together they normally are.
Comment by RNUG Monday, Mar 30, 20 @ 12:40 pm
A worker at the Woodlawn FCRC died of Covid this weekend but I’m not sure if he was working when he contracted it.
Comment by Sunshyne40 Monday, Mar 30, 20 @ 12:47 pm
I am a retiree they called me asking if I wanted to process applications at home. I would be glad to help. They took names wish they would called. I was a tester even for IES i know it well. No word when and if it will happen. They are way behind in everything.
Comment by Clec dcn Monday, Mar 30, 20 @ 1:54 pm
I’m working remotely. As much as I complained about the 400million dollar IES system, it’s actually saved our butts in a huge way.
It’s allowed management to really control things.
We’re gonna be okay.
Comment by Honeybear Monday, Mar 30, 20 @ 3:44 pm
Honeybear
YOu know if they will use retirees actually?
Comment by cler dec Monday, Mar 30, 20 @ 4:10 pm