Section 302.30  Introduction

a)         The Department of Children and Family Services is the State agency which is responsible for providing public child welfare services to children and their families.  The types of services provided encompass the broad array of Department services as detailed in this part.  Although the service goals in this Part encompass a variety of services, any specific service may be provided to families who are living together as well as to children and families who are living apart.  Services are provided in order to assure permanent, secure and nurturing living situations for children.

b)         The Department determines:

1)         the children and family's eligibility for services as specified in 89 Ill. Adm. Code 304 (Access to and Eligibility for Child Welfare Services);

2)         the specific services that are necessary and appropriate for eligible children and families as indicated in the service plan; and

3)         whether the services will be provided directly by the Department or through purchase of service providers.

c)         The Department shall comply with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 USC 2000e et seq.); Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 USC 793 and 794); the U.S. Constitution; the 1970 Illinois Constitution; and any State and federal laws, regulations or court orders that prohibit discrimination in service delivery on the grounds of race, sex, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, the inability to speak or comprehend the English language or by reason of any handicap.  Additionally, no children or their families shall be denied services under this Part solely on the basis that a parent is admitted to an Illinois mental health facility, detained in an Illinois jail, or committed to the Illinois Department of Corrections.  Refer to 89 Ill. Adm. Code 307 (Indian Child Welfare Services) that defines the special rights of Indian children and their families.

(Source:  Amended at 32 Ill. Reg. 11611, effective July 10, 2008)