SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — A new state law will require DCFS caseworkers to develop hair care plans with youth in care and their parents.
The DCFS Youth Advisory Board worked with Rep. Kimberly Du Buclet (D-Chicago) and Sen. Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) to make their recommendation into legislation.
Advocates told lawmakers this spring that Black children are often placed with families or in residential settings where they aren't allowed to wear their hair in ways that represent their cultural background. They stressed that many youth end up living with families who don't know how to properly care for their natural hair.
"When they don't have access to hair care, they suffer from trauma like body dysmorphia, bullying, stigmatization and further neglect to hygiene," said Ni'yuana Baker, a DCFS Youth Advisory Board member and undergraduate student at Illinois State University who hopes to become a DCFS social worker. "Going through these things, especially as a child, could possibly build trauma and break down self-confidence, making it hard for them to complete everyday needs."
Every youth in care will have a hair care plan that accounts for their racial, cultural, gender, religious or other identities unless the child indicates they don't need a hair care plan. DCFS will also be required to develop training for caregivers to provide culturally-competent hair care by June 1, 2025.
"Hair plays a crucial role in nurturing young people's ties to their race, culture and sense of self," Simmons said. "I believe that when youth feel proud of their hair and heritage, they are better equipped to navigate the world with confidence and resilience."
The law allows DCFS to adopt rules to facilitate implementation of the changes, including responsibilities of caseworkers and placement plan specialists in developing the hair care plan, engaging parents regarding the hair care needs of youth and procedures to follow if the parents cannot be contacted, and factors to consider in granting children increased autonomy over hair care decisions.
"It's going to be up to DCFS to determine how the cost will be covered and what cost will be covered," Du Buclet said. "So the cost could potentially fall on DCFS, the foster parents or from a youth's allowance."
House Bill 5097 passed unanimously out of the House. The legislation passed out of the Senate on a 49-9 vote.
The new law takes effect on January 1.
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