SIU Law student Jerricha Griffin, spoke at a press conference by IL Governor JB Pritzker about a new DCFS training facility to be located at SIU

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker joined child welfare and university leaders today (Feb. 27) to announce that SIU Carbondale will be the university partner for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services’ third simulation training center statewide. 

“I’m proud to announce the partnership with SIU Carbondale to spearhead a new Southern Illinois simulation lab. This brings best-in-the-nation training to the southern region of our state, and it furthers our ability to better serve the children and families of Southern Illinois,” Pritzker said while in the Student Services Building. “These labs aren’t just an investment in child welfare – they’re also an investment in education and job training. And they are investments that will make a real difference to students in every region of Illinois and in our DCFS frontline workers.” 

Chancellor John M. Dunn noted that SIU was founded to educate people in the region and beyond to serve as teachers and create opportunities for young people. The School of Medicine will be in a lead role educating health care providers and training social workers and other child advocates to protect young people who may be in harm’s way, Dunn said. 

“SIU is proud of its commitment to the region through its teaching, research and service mission,” Dunn added. “This initiative, in collaboration with the Department of Children and Family Services and the University of Illinois at Springfield, will have a meaningful and positive impact on how we care for our most vulnerable residents, our children. The university is pleased to bring all of its resources to bear on this project, including involvement from the schools of medicine, law and social work, among many other outstanding academic programs that will have a direct tie-in to this work.” 

Discussions are underway for an SIU site location and opening timetable. 

Read the complete story here.