Section 302.40  Department Service Goals

a)         The Department provides, directly or through purchase, a number of services for children and families which are individually planned to meet the needs of each child and family.  These services are directed toward four service goals which are:

1)         family preservation

2)         family reunification

3)         adoption or attainment of a permanent living arrangement

4)         youth development

b)         Family Preservation

            When family preservation is the goal, services are directed toward ensuring the children's development, safety and well-being in the home of their family and preventing placement of children away from their family.  Such families may have been reported to the Department for alleged child abuse or neglect or referred to the Department for services. The service constellation for these children and families may include:

1)         counseling/advocacy

2)         emergency caretaker

3)         homemaker

4)         protective and family maintenance day care and child development

5)         family planning

6)         parent education

7)         self-help groups

8)         emergency family shelter

9)         intensive family preservation services

10)       other placement prevention services

11)       referral for substance abuse treatment services

12)       referral for financial assistance and employment related day care

13)       referral for housing assistance or housing advocacy

14)       referral for legal services

c)         Family Reunification

            When family reunification is the goal, services are directed toward returning a child to his parent's or private guardian's home when the child was removed because of alleged child abuse or neglect or other reasons.  Family reunification services are directed toward helping the children's parent(s) or private guardian(s) achieve minimum parenting standards and ensuring their safety and well-being upon return home.  The service constellation for these children and families may include:

1)         counseling/advocacy

2)         homemaker

3)         protective and family maintenance day care and child development

4)         foster family home care

5)         relative home care

6)         residential care

7)         family planning

8)         parent education

9)         intensive family preservation services

10)       referral for substance abuse treatment services

d)         Adoption or Attainment of a Permanent Living Arrangement

            When adoption or attainment of a permanent living arrangement is the goal, services are directed at securing a new legal status in a permanent living situation for children who cannot return to their legal families.  A goal of permanent living arrangement means that the child is to remain with a relative or foster family permanently and the Department has transferred or intends to transfer legal guardianship to the family.  The service constellation for these children may include:

1)         counseling

2)         adoption

3)         subsidized guardianship

4)         relative home care

5)         foster family home care

6)         intensive family preservation services

e)         Youth Development

1)         When youth development is the goal, services are directed at helping youth live independently or assisting unmarried youth with planning for the birth or care of their child.  Such services may be provided by the Department to youth for whom the Department of Children and Family Services is legally responsible:

A)        Youth 16 years of age or older for whom the Department has legal responsibility, to help them live independently of adult caregiver supervision and achieve economic self-sufficiency; and

B)        Youth who are high school graduates and have been awarded scholarships in accordance with the Children and Family Services Act [20 ILCS 505]; and

C)        Unmarried pregnant youth for whom the Department has legal responsibility.

2)         The service constellation for youth for whom the Department is legally responsible may include:

A)        counseling/advocacy

B)        day care for the children of unmarried youth

C)        homemaker

D)        family planning

E)         maintenance payments or foster family home, relative home or residential care payment except that maternity home payment shall be limited to a maximum of ninety (90) days.

(Source:  Amended at 21 Ill. Reg. 10912, effective July 29, 1997)