I. Purpose

The purpose of this Policy Guide is to issue new procedures that will:

• Ensure that when there is a new “initial” application for licensure from a previously-licensed (but not currently licensed) individual or individuals, the current foster home licensing representative reviews and assesses all previous licensing history, including strengths, violations and enforcement actions, and placement “holds” before making a recommendation to “issue license” or “deny license” on the current application; and
• Assist Department licensing staff to obtain information on the foster home’s licensing history that may identify strengths or concerns that would be taken into consideration when making child care placements and thus protect children from possible harm; identify what children would be compatible with the foster parent’s strengths; and prevent the moving of wards after placement.
• Identify areas of assistance or training that the foster parent may need if he or she is issued a new license.

II. Primary Users

The primary users of this Policy Guide are Department and private agency licensing staff who receive and recommend potential foster parents for licensure.

III. Key Words

Licensing application, background information, licensing enforcement, revocation.

IV. Data Enter Initial Application

1. For Purchase of Service (POS) Foster Homes

   After data entering the prospective foster home application, the Central Office of Licensing data entry staff shall check the PR-04 screen for all current and previous licensing-related provider ID numbers.

   For each current/previous licensing-related provider ID number, the Central Office of Licensing data entry staff shall check the LC-07 screen to determine if there was/is any previous/pending enforcement action such as:

   • Previous denials (code 08)
   • Previous revocations (code 04) and refusals to renew (code 10);
   • Pending revocations/refusals to renew (code 09); and
   • Previous “Surrenders with Cause” (code 33)

2. For DCFS Foster Homes

   After data entering the prospective foster home application, the Department’s field data entry staff shall check the PR-04 data screen for all current and previous licensing-related provider ID numbers.

   For each current/previous licensing-related provider ID number, DCFS field data entry staff shall check the LC-07 screen to determine if there was/is any previous/pending enforcement action such as:

   • Previous denials (code 08)
   • Previous revocations (code 04) and refusals to renew (code 10);
   • Pending revocations (code 09) and refusals to renew (code 09); and
   • Previous “Surrenders with Cause” (code 33)

V. Notification to the Central Office of Licensing Enforcement Unit

1. For POS Foster Homes

   If the Central Office of Licensing data entry staff finds any record of previous or pending enforcement actions on the applicant, data entry staff shall notify the Chief of the Central Office of Licensing Enforcement Unit of the findings via e-mail.

2. For DCFS Foster Homes

   If DCFS field data entry staff finds any record of previous or pending enforcement actions on the applicant, data entry staff shall notify the current licensing supervisor and the Chief of the Central Office of Licensing Enforcement Unit of the findings via e-mail.

VI. Provide Background Information to Licensing Supervisor

The Manager of the Central Office of Licensing Enforcement Unit shall prepare a Notice of Previous Enforcement Action Form (CFS 50-A) with background information and send it to the DCFS licensing supervisor (via e-mail) or the POS licensing supervisor/contact (via US Mail). A blank CFS 50-B, Rationale for Recommending Foster Home Licensure Despite Previous Enforcement Actions, shall be attached to the CFS 50-A.

Note: If a different Central Office of Licensing enforcement notice was previously sent to the licensing supervisor, a copy of the same shall be attached to the CFS 50-A.

The Chief of the Central Office of Licensing Enforcement Unit shall flag the new initial application in the database.

VII. Licensing Representative Requests Information from Previous Licensing Entities

Upon receiving the CFS 50-A from the Central Office of Licensing Enforcement Manger, the licensing representative shall:

• Contact all licensing entities previously associated with the applicant(s);
• Request all relevant information, as authorized by applicant in the CFS 718, Authorization for Background Check form, regarding previous licensing and placement activity, including enforcement actions (dates, reasons, etc.), removal of children from home (initiated by the agency or foster home), and licensing violations;
• Review and assess all information received; and
• On form CFS 50-B, document the assessments made of the information received from previous licensing entities; or
• On form CFS 50-B, document the non-receipt of requested information and follow-up attempts to secure the information.

The licensing representative shall not make any recommendation regarding the current application (i.e., to either issue a license or deny the application) until the licensing representative has received and reviewed/assessed the information obtained from previous licensing entities, or has documented the attempts of contact the agency to secure the information on CFS 50-B.

VIII. Licensing representative and Supervisor Submit Recommendation

1. Recommendation to “Issue License”

   If the licensing representative and licensing supervisor, after reviewing all of the information from the previous licensing entities, determine that it is appropriate to submit a recommendation to “Issue License”, the licensing representative and supervisor shall complete a Rationale for Recommending Foster Home Licensure Despite Previous Enforcement Action (CFS 50-B).

   Note: The Central Office of Licensing will not process any recommendation to “Issue License” for an application that has been flagged in the data base without a properly completed CFS 50-B form.

2. Recommendation to “Deny Application”

   If the licensing representative and licensing supervisor, after reviewing all of the information from the previous licensing entities, determine that it is appropriate to submit a recommendation to “Deny Application”, the licensing representative and supervisor shall submit the following information to the Central Office of Licensing. (No CFS 50-B is required):

   1. A completed Individual License Summary (ILS) that includes:
      • The letters “DL” in the recommendation section;
      • The recommended effective date;
      • The licensing representative’s ID#, signature and date of signature; and
      • The licensing supervisor’s ID#, review/approval signature and date.
   2. The following documentation must be attached to the ILS:
      • Copies of correspondence sent to the applicant(s) informing them of the decision to recommend that the application be denied;
      • Documentation that the applicant was given an opportunity to correct the conditions, if correctable; and
      • Copy of the correspondence and other documentation that supports the recommendation to deny the application.

IX. Questions

DCFS Licensing staff should direct their questions to their respective Regional Resource Development Manager and or Regional Licensing Administrator.

Purchase of Service Agencies should contact their Agency and Institution licensing representative.

X. Attachments

CFS 50-A, Notice of Previous Enforcement Action
CFS 50-B, Rationale for Recommending Foster Home Licensure Despite Previous Enforcement Actions
The Central Office of Licensing sends these forms to the licensing supervisor.
CFS 718, Authorization for Background Check. This form can be ordered in the usual manner.

XI. Filing Instructions

Place this Policy Guide directly in front of Procedures 402, Licensing Standards for Foster Family Homes.