SB1385 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB099 09578 KTG 29787 b

99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2015 and 2016
SB1385

Introduced 2/20/2015, by Sen. Julie A. Morrison

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

20 ILCS 505/5.40 new

Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Provides that beginning January 1, 2016, the Department of Children and Family Services shall implement a 5-year pilot program of multi-dimensional treatment foster care, or a substantially similar evidence-based program of professional foster care, for (i) children entering care with severe trauma histories, with the goal of returning the child home or maintaining the child in foster care instead of placing the child in congregate care or a more restrictive setting or placement, (ii) children who require placement in foster care when they are ready for discharge from a residential treatment facility, and (iii) children who are identified for residential or group home care and who, based on a determination made by the Department, could be placed in a foster home if higher level interventions are provided. Provides that the Department shall arrange for an independent evaluation of the pilot program to determine whether it is meeting the goal of maintaining children in the least restrictive, most appropriate family-like setting while they are in the Department's care and to determine whether there is a long-term cost benefit to continuing the pilot program. Contains a provision concerning reporting requirements.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning State government.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Children and Family Services Act is amended by adding Section 5.40 as follows:

(20 ILCS 505/5.40 new)

Sec. 5.40. Multi-dimensional treatment foster care. Beginning January 1, 2016, the Department shall implement a 5-year pilot program of multi-dimensional treatment foster care, or a substantially similar evidence-based program of professional foster care, for (i) children entering care with severe trauma histories, with the goal of returning the child home or maintaining the child in foster care instead of placing the child in congregate care or a more restrictive setting or placement, (ii) children who require placement in foster care when they are ready for discharge from a residential treatment facility, and (iii) children who are identified for residential or group home care and who, based on a determination made by the Department, could be placed in a foster home if higher level interventions are provided.

The Department shall arrange for an independent evaluation of the pilot program to determine whether it is meeting the goal of maintaining children in the least restrictive, most appropriate family-like setting while they are in the Department's care and to determine whether there is a long-term cost benefit to continuing the pilot program.

At the end of the 5-year pilot program, the Department shall submit a report to the General Assembly with its findings of the evaluation. The report shall state whether the Department intends to continue the pilot program and the rationale for its decision.