- To: DCFS and Purchase of Service (POS) Permanency Administrators and Staff, Administrative Case Review Administrators and Reviewers
- From: George H. Sheldon, Acting Director
I. PURPOSE
The purpose of this Policy Guide is to provide information to DCFS and POS Permanency Workers regarding Public Act 99-344, Illinois Foster Child and Youth Bill of Rights. With the passage of this Public Act, the Department of Children and Family Services recognizes the many rights of children and youth in foster care. These rights are intended to guide the Department and its providers in the delivery of care and services to foster children and youth with the commitment to safety, permanency and well-being.
II. PRIMARY USERS
The primary users of this Policy Guide are DCFS and POS Permanency Supervisors and Caseworkers; DCFS and POS Foster Care Licensing Representatives and Supervisors, A&I Licensing Representatives and Supervisors, Child Welfare Agency, Child Care Institution and Group Home Administrators, Supervisors and Staff.
III. INSTRUCTIONS TO PERMANENCY WORKERS AND ADMINISTRATIVE CASE REVIEWERS
Permanency Workers shall provide a copy of the CFS 496-1, Foster Child and Youth Bill of Rights to all children and youth ages 5 and older, and the child’s current caregivers (i.e., foster parents/relative caregivers, group home/residential facility staff, or pre-adoptive parents) during casework contact. For children/youth entering substitute care this shall occur within the first 30 days of placement. For all other children/youth this shall occur at the next monthly caseworker contact.
The Permanency Worker shall review the Foster Child and Youth Bill of Rights with children/youth annually during casework contact and document that review in a contact note.
Note: Step-by-Step Instructions for Distribution and Review of the Bill of Rights are also printed on the CFS 496-1, Foster Child and Youth Bill of Rights.
Administrative Case Reviewers shall also review the Foster Child and Youth Bill of Rights at each ACR with children and their parents/legal guardians in order to engage parents/guardians and empower them to share the responsibility for the safety, permanency and well-being of their children.
IV. REVISED FORM
CFS 496-1, Foster Child and Youth Bill of Rights (Rev 11/2015)
V. QUESTIONS
Questions about this policy guide should be directed to the Office of Child and Family Policy at 217-524-1983 or via Outlook to OCFP – Mailbox.
VI. FILING INSTRUCTIONS
Remove Policy Guide 2015.15 from behind Procedures 315, Permanency Planning and immediately following Rule 316, Administrative Case Reviews and Court Hearings and replace with this amended Policy Guide.