Section 475.20  Moms and Babies Program

a)         Moms and Babies Program sites shall be recommended by the Deputy Director of Women and Family Services and approved by the Director.

b)         The Program shall be a voluntary program in female correctional facilities designed to provide healthy pregnant and post-natal offenders the opportunity to develop and nurture a bond with their infants through programming and a safe supportive living environment.

c)         This Program is designed to be a well baby and healthy mom program.  If the child requires more than normal well child health care or the offender requires more than normal pre- and post-natal care, the offender may no longer be eligible to be in the program and may be transferred.  Medical concerns shall be addressed with the Agency Medical Director.

d)         While in this Program, the offender shall remain in the custody of the Department and the baby shall be in the custody of his or her mother.

e)         The Program offers programs and services in areas including, but not limited to:  pre- and post-release needs, pre-natal and parenting education, caregiver training including pediatric CPR, education, mental health support, self-improvement, anger management, and substance abuse recovery.

f)         Offenders who participate in this Program shall be required to:

1)         Provide care for their children.

2)         Arrange for child care when they are unable to provide the care, such as when the offender is participating in programming, work assignments, classes, or writs.  Child care shall only be provided by approved child care providers, Child Development Aides, or the Infant Development Administrator.

3)         Secure an outside guardian to ensure the child is cared for if the offender is removed from the program or if the offender can no longer care for the child.

4)         Apply for State, federal, county, and local social services such as the Illinois Department of Human Services Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program, Healthy Families in Illinois, Medicaid program, Food Stamp Program, and Clinic for Indigent Child.

5)         Where applicable, obtain consent from the father for the baby to participate in the Program.