Section 402.9  Requirements for Sleeping Arrangements

a)         Each foster child shall be provided his own separate bed or crib. Children who have been sharing a bed in compliance with previous versions of this subsection shall be provided his or her own separate bed or crib, by the foster parent, by October 1, 2002.

b)         Foster parents shall not co-sleep with a youth in care and shall follow the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) regarding safe sleep (https://www.aap.org/en-us/advocacyandpolicy/aap-health-initiatives/healthy-child-care/Pages/Safe-Sleep.aspx). This requirement is non-waivable.

c)         Children under six years of age may share a bedroom with related children of the opposite sex who are also under age six if each child is provided with a separate bed or crib.

d)         Unrelated children under two years of age may share a bedroom with children of the opposite sex who are also under the age of two if each child is provided a separate bed or crib.

e)         A foster child may share a bedroom with his or her own children of either sex if each child is provided a separate bed or crib.

f)         A foster child shall not share the bedroom with an adult except under emergency conditions for a brief period of time, when a child is ill, needs frequent attention or as allowed in Section 402.9(g). The supervising agency can require that a foster parent occupy sleeping quarters on the same level of the home as a child who has medical or behavioral issues that warrant close supervision.  This requirement shall be written into the child's Service Plan on forms developed and prescribed by the Department.

g)         When adulthood (age 18) is reached by a foster, biological or adopted child for whom sharing the bedroom with a foster child under eighteen years of age has been determined to be in the best interests of the foster child, the supervising agency shall approve such arrangements in accordance with the provisions of this Section.

h)         The supervising agency may approve the use of a multi-purpose room for use as a bedroom in order to enable children of common parentage to be placed together or when it enables a placement that is otherwise in the best interests of the children.  Such approvals shall be in writing and shall contain the names and birth dates of the children for whom the approval was issued.  These approvals shall be reviewed and reapproved at each license renewal.

i)          There shall be a minimum of 40 square feet, excluding the closet and wardrobe area, for the first child occupying a bedroom and a minimum of 35 square feet for each additional child sharing the room.  However, the supervising agency may approve a smaller room size on an individual case basis when such approval is in the best interests of the children.  Such approvals shall be in writing and shall contain the names and birth dates of the children for whom the approval was issued.  These approvals shall be reviewed at each license renewal.

j)          The springs and mattresses on each bed requiring such shall be level, clean, unsoiled with no rips or tears in the mattress or mattress cover, and not infested with insects.  The bedding shall be suitable for the season.  This requirement is non-waivable.

k)         Linens shall be changed at least weekly for all children and as frequently as needed for children not toilet trained and for those who are enuretic.

l)          Waterproof mattress covers shall be provided for all beds or cribs for enuretic children.

m)        Sleeping rooms shall be comfortable and shall be furnished suitably for the age and sex of the child.

(Source:  Amended at 44 Ill. Reg. 6019, effective April 1, 2020)