NEW REGULATION REGARDING ACCESS TO INFORMATION

DCFS issued a policy guide implementing changes to the Children and Family Services Act and Foster Parent Law that requires caseworkers to give caregivers information such as the medical and educational history of the child, a copy of the child’s portion of the service plan and any other relevant background information regarding the child to the caregiver at placement. This information is to be put in writing and given to the caregiver within 10 days of placement. The caseworker is required to obtain the signature of the caregiver acknowledging receipt of the information and forward it to the child’s guardian ad litem.

To view entire text of policy guide 2007.04 click here.

DCFS also issued a policy guide implementing changes to the Child Care Act and Adoption Act that addresses the information to be given to prospective adoptive parents. The policy guide states that once a child is placed in a pre-adoptive home the caseworker is to provide detailed information concerning the child’s educational and health history including a copy of immunization records. Additionally the foster parent is to receive the child’s individualized educational plan as well as any known social or behavioral information. The policy also has provisions which require the adoption agency to comply with subsection 18.3 (g) of the adoption act, which requires a 45 day response time for requested information made by an authorized adoption agency.

To view entire text of policy guide 2007.09 click here

NEW DCFS POLICY: PROCEDURES FOR REPORTING AND FOLLOW THROUGH SERVICES FOR WARDS EXHIBITING SEXUAL BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS.

DCFS has set forth a protocol for caseworkers to follow when dealing with a ward that exhibits sexual behavior problems. Upon receiving a report a worker is to consider the immediate safety concerns of a ward. This involves assessing the appropriateness of the child’s placement. Factors such as the age of the other children in the home and the willingness of the foster parent to provide adequate supervision of the child are weighed.

After an immediate determination as to placement is made, the worker is to report the incident to the Sexual Abuse Services Coordinator (SASC) for that region. Then the worker is to investigate and generate an unusual incident report detailing the specifics of what happened. The UIR is then forwarded to a number of DCFS personnel and the Sexual Abuse Services Coordinator for that region. Within 24 hours of receiving a report, the SASC screens the report and determines if there is a need to convene a behavioral screening.

If a behavioral screening is warranted, the caretaker of the child, therapist, caseworker, DCP investigator, the child’s Guardian Ad Litem, and others who have knowledge of the child are invited to participate in the staffing. In some instances, youth over 12 years old can participate as well. During the meeting the individuals discuss what occurred and what type of services are needed to deal with the identified behavioral problems. A plan is generated that details the specific treatment needed, and what is needed to adequately supervise the youth. Caseworkers are responsible for reviewing this plan quarterly to assess the youth’s progress in treatment. The SASC reviews this plan semi annually as well. Once it is anticipated that the youth is making significant progress, a staffing is held to outline a  discharge plan and eventual closure of Sexual Abuse Program monitoring.

The above is a brief synopsis of the policy 302.240. For the entire policy click here.

Additionally, DCFS maintains it’s own website. Many of DCFS’s rules and policies can be found at this link