URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — The Champaign County Board approved on Thursday the addition of a new deputy at the Sheriff’s Office, which would help fill a special role within the agency.

It would give Sheriff Dustin Heuerman the ability to move an experienced deputy into a full-time role assisting DCFS, stationing them at Champaign County’s local DCFS office. A new deputy would be hired to fill the position left vacant by the transfer.

Heuerman said this partnership with DCFS is something he’s kept his eyes on for a long time.

“DCFS has been establishing partnerships with local sheriff’s offices for a couple of years now,” Heuerman said.

It started after social worker Deidra Silas was killed during a home visit in 2022. DCFS was looking for a way to keep its employees safe and saw a partnership with law enforcement as a way to do it effectively.

It’s called the DCFS Co-Responder Program. So far, 15 agencies across the state have joined, but not Champaign County.

“I was a little hesitant because, with all new programs, I want to make sure all the kinks are worked out before we enter into that collaboration,” Heuerman said.

Now, Heuerman said he’s seen and heard enough. He talked to sheriff’s offices and departments across the state, including Sangamon County. They started as a part of the Co-Responder Program but pulled out this year.

“I actually spoke with [Sheriff Paula Crouch] about that because I wanted to know why they weren’t in that arrangement anymore,” Heuerman said. “And she had good things to say about the arrangement. It’s just she didn’t have enough people to cover the streets, let alone those specialty assignments.”

Which is why Heuerman is asked the County Board for permission to hire another deputy. He sees a more experienced person moving into the role with DCFS.

“Not all home visits are high-risk, but law enforcement does have access to databases and to information that DCFS workers may not,” Heuerman said.

He sees this extra information — the option of sending the deputy on home visits — and streamlining the process between agencies as valuable. And it won’t cost the county a dime.

“It is 100% reimbursed [by the state], so the county is 100% reimbursed for the equipment and the personnel, and anything that goes into this position,” Heuerman said. “This collaboration really is a benefit to all individuals involved.”

Heuerman said he’s excited to get this started and believes this will benefit all parties involved. The referendum will go into effect on July 1, but Heuerman isn’t sure if he’ll have someone in place by then.