Section 316.20  Definitions

"Administrative case review" means a review of permanency planning open to the participation of the parents of the child, conducted by a person who is not responsible for the case management of, or the delivery of services to, either the child or the parents who are the subjects of the review. (42 USCA 675) The administrative case review is also open to the participation of other professionals involved in assessing or treating the child, any legal representative of the parent or child, and the foster parents as specified in Section 316.50 (Conduct and Participation at Administrative Case Reviews).

"Administrative case reviewer" means a trained professional who is not responsible for the case management of, or delivery of services to, either the child or the parents who are the subjects of the review.

"Children for whom the Department is legally responsible" means children for whom the Department has temporary protective custody, custody or guardianship via court order, or children whose parents have signed an adoptive surrender or voluntary placement agreement with the Department.

"Family" means one or more adults and children, related by blood, marriage or adoption and residing in the same household.

"Parents" means the child's legal parents, including adoptive parents, whose rights have not been terminated.  Biological fathers are considered legal parents when paternity has been established as required by the definition in Permanency Planning (89 Ill. Adm. Code 315.20).

"Permanency goal" means the desired outcome of intervention and service, which is determined to be consistent with the health, safety, well-being, and best interests of the child. A permanent legal status is usually a component of the permanency goal.

"Service plan" means a written plan on a form prescribed by the Department that guides all participants in the plan toward the permanency goals for the children.

"Substitute care" means the care of children who require placement away from their families.  Substitute care includes foster family care, care provided in a relative home placement as defined in 89 Ill. Adm. Code 301.80 (Relative Home Placement), care provided in a group home, and care provided in a child care or other institution.