Monitoring Visits

Licensing staff may make either unannounced or announced monitoring visits as part of the standard license monitoring procedure, or in response to a complaint alleging licensing violations.

New License

Sometime near the end of the first 60 days after DCFS issues a new foster parent license, an unannounced visit is required. New foster families are told about this visit during the initial licensing process, so, although it is unannounced, it should not be a surprise.

During this visit, licensing staff verifies that:
• the number of children in the home matches licensing capacity;
• the ages of children cared for matches licensing standards;
• children’s records are being maintained;
• space within the home is being used as planned and licensed;
• unsafe conditions do not exist;
• there have been no changes to the physical environment;
• discipline problems do not seem to exist; and
• there are no persons living in the home not accounted for in the record.

Bi-Annual Monitoring Visit

Licensing staff will make an unannounced visit every six months for three years after the license is issued. Discussion at the annual monitoring visit will be about:
• provisions of the license;
• supervision of the children;
• evacuation plans, in case of emergency;
• changes since the previous visit;
• discipline techniques;
• nutrition plans;
• foster caregiver responsibility as a mandated reporter for children placed
in the home;
• safety issues;
• sleeping arrangements; and
• support services.

License Renewal Visit

5½ Months Prior to License Expiration

Licensed caregivers will receive a letter from DCFS Central Office of Licensing indicating the expiration date of their license and instructions to complete the enclosed renewal application and to contact their licensing representative. The caregivers should immediately contact their licensing representative to begin the renewal process.

Visits to renew the foster care license are conducted by appointment. During the renewal visit, the licensing representative will check that all licensing standards are met. It may feel like an initial licensing visit, but, it is also a good opportunity to discuss experiences and ask questions. 

After the renewal visit, the licensing representative may recommend to:
• renew the foster care license;
• issue a 6-month conditional license until the home can come into compliance with licensing standards. Conditional licenses cannot be renewed as conditional; or
• not renew the license and not issue a conditional license.

“As Needed” Visits

Unannounced visits are made “as needed” to check that the family and their home meets licensing standards. “As needed” visits are used if a foster family has established a pattern of not meeting licensing standards. The frequency of these visits is determined by the foster family’s ability to come into, and remain, in compliance with licensing standards.

Tip from Experienced Caregivers: If you don’t understand why licensing staff is visiting, just ask. If the answer is difficult to understand, or visits seem too frequent or unnecessary, talk to the supervisor and your agency or DCFS regional administration for clarification. Put your questions and concerns in writing