Section 310.11  Youth Service Goals

a)         Primary Goal

The primary goal of youth services funded by the Department is the diversion of youth from the child welfare and juvenile justice systems through the provision of family preservation, family reunification and independent living services. Such services are directed at assuring that youth who come into contact or may come into contact with the child welfare or juvenile justice systems will have access to needed community, prevention, diversion, emergency or independent living services.

b)         Permanency Goal

All youths receiving services will usually have the primary permanency goals of either family preservation or family reunification, or independence.

c)         Family Preservation

When family preservation is the goal, services are directed toward helping the youth and his or her parents resolve and cope with family problems and disruptive behaviors in order to preserve the youth in his or her family home.

d)         Family Reunification

When family reunification is the goal, services are directed toward helping the youth and his or her parents resolve and cope with family problems and disruptive behaviors in order to return the youth to his or her family home after short term foster care or shelter care or other temporary living arrangements.

e)         Independence

When independence is the goal, services are directed toward helping the youth develop the ability to care for himself or herself and to become economically self-sufficient.

(Source:  Amended at 11 Ill. Reg. 10193, effective June 1, 1987)