Section 315.80  Components of the Permanency Planning Process

a)         The permanency planning process begins when the first contact is made with the child and family.  The permanency planning process continues until the health and safety of the child are assured and Department-funded services terminated.

b)         Activities that must occur as part of the permanency planning process include:

1)         a diligent search for missing parents, when necessary;

2)         an assessment as described in Section 315.100;

3)         worker intervention and contacts as described in Section 315.110;

4)         family meetings as described in Section 315.120;

5)         development and implementation of a service plan as described Section 315.130;

6)         selection of a permanency goal as described in Sections 315.200 through 315.240;

7)         the use of concurrent planning as described in Section 315.245, when appropriate;

8)         evaluating whether families are substantially fulfilling their obligations under the service plan and correcting the conditions that led to the placement of their children to enable the children to be returned home as described in Section 315.300;

9)         consideration of alternatives to reunification as described in Section 315.305;

10)       preparation for termination of Department services and aftercare planning as described in Section 315.310; and

11)       preparation for, attendance at, and participation in administrative case reviews, court hearings, and permanency hearings, as described in 89 Ill. Adm. Code 316 (Case Reviews and Court Hearings).