Illinois CPS Specialty Practice Exam 2025 – Your Complete All-in-One Guide to Success!

The Norman Consent Decree is significant because it directly addresses issues of poverty within the context of child welfare and foster care. This decree emerged from a lawsuit focusing on the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services' (DCFS) practices and the systemic challenges faced by children and families living in poverty. It emphasizes the need for DCFS to improve its services and support for families, particularly those in low-income situations.

The Norman case drew attention to how poverty affects children's well-being and access to essential resources and services, making it a landmark case for ensuring equitable treatment and support within the child welfare system. The goal of the decree is to enforce systemic changes that can better serve vulnerable populations, thereby improving outcomes for children who are in or at risk of entering the foster care system. This is why the Norman Consent Decree is the correct answer regarding issues related to poverty.