(325 ILCS 30/4) (from Ch. 23, par. 4104)

Sec. 4.

Project.

There is established, subject to available
appropriations, a 2 year demonstration project, known as the family
support center demonstration project. The Department of Children and Family
Services shall be responsible for the planning, implementation and
establishment of a family support center. The project shall coordinate the
provision of core services to families at a community-based center in order
to develop the community's capacity to identify and resolve its problems.
The center shall be responsive to the community and involve the
participants as equal partners in program development and execution.

The center shall offer an array of services tailored to the specific
needs of its constituents. Services shall be developed pursuant to family
support principles. Services must:

(1) Be offered at convenient times in accessible locations.

(2) Build on strengths, rather than search for deficits.

(3) Involve participants and the community in planning and implementation.

(4) Show respect for participants.

(5) Serve the best interests of children.

(6) Strengthen families.

(7) Be presented in coordination with other agencies and services
in the community.

No single service shall overshadow the others, and services shall be
provided in a coordinated manner. Because some services will be provided
directly by the center and other services will be provided by other
agencies, the center, with input from parent constituents, shall develop a
service plan, using a systems management approach, for the provision of
services. The staff of the center shall be responsible for ensuring that
all components of the service plan are carried out. This may require
interventions on the part of the staff, including but not limited to,
accompanying parents to appointments with other agencies, advocating on
behalf of parents, reminding parents of appointments with other agencies,
and providing short-term counseling to parents concerning referrals for
services.

The center shall consider the following services, activities, and
components when developing its core services:

(a) Enhancement of parenting skills.

(b) Infant and child stimulation activities to maximize child growth
and development.

(c) Outreach services targeted at community organizations, families, youth, and others