HB3732ham001 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Rep. Maura Hirschauer

Filed: 3/18/2025

10400HB3732ham001 LRB104 09568 KTG 23952 a

AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL 3732

AMENDMENT NO. ______. Amend House Bill 3732 by replacing everything after the enacting clause with the following:

"Section 5. The Children and Family Services Act is amended by adding Section 5.48 as follows:

(20 ILCS 505/5.48 new)

Sec. 5.48. Foster Care Case Management Pilot Program.

(a) Purpose. Illinois currently faces challenges with prolonged foster care placements and reunification delays. Only 18.6% of the children who entered substitute care in the Cook County region in Fiscal Year 2021 were reunified with their families within 24 months. The purpose of this Section is to create a case management pilot program to support biological parents who are highly motivated to reunite with their children. Under the pilot program, parents will receive their own dedicated case manager, separate from their child's DCFS caseworker, to ensure comprehensive support. The pilot program will focus on children with a "Return Home" goal, improving case management services, connecting families to essential community resources, and integrating workforce development initiatives for foster youth and parents facing economic hardship.

(b) Legislative findings. The General Assembly finds the following:

(1) Family reunification, when safely possible, leads to better long-term outcomes for children.

(2) Many children in foster care experience instability due to insufficient family support systems and inadequate caseworker resources.

(3) Comprehensive support for parents, including job readiness and placement programs, is essential to creating a stable home environment for returning children.

(c) Subject to appropriation, the Department of Children and Family Services shall establish and administer a 4-year Foster Care Case Management Pilot Program that shall prioritize intensive case management for biological parents to support reunification with their children after an appropriate stabilization period. Under the Pilot Program, each biological parent of a child placed in foster care shall be assigned a dedicated case manager, separate from the child's caseworker, who is focused solely on the parent's needs. Case managers shall work with biological parents to address barriers to reunification, including housing instability, substance abuse treatment, mental health care, legal issues, and parenting skill development. Services shall be provided with a trauma-informed, culturally competent approach to ensure that parents receive holistic and compassionate support. The Pilot Program shall include the following components:

(1) Pathway to reunification. Case managers shall develop individualized, time-bound reunification plans that outline specific steps for biological parents to regain custody of their children. Reunification plans shall be collaboratively created with biological parents, case managers, legal representatives, and the Department. Case managers shall facilitate connections to support services such as therapy, financial assistance, employment programs, and housing stabilization programs. Clear benchmarks and accountability measures shall be established to track progress.

(2) Care coordination. Case managers shall exclusively focus on biological parents to ensure undivided attention and a higher level of engagement. Program services shall include comprehensive assessments, mental health evaluations, substance use treatment referrals, family counseling, and reintegration support. Intensive, wraparound case management shall also be provided to ensure that biological parents receive continuous guidance and support throughout the reunification process. Coordination with child welfare agencies, legal professionals, and community-based organizations shall be integral to service delivery.

(3) Reunification plans. For each foster child, case managers shall develop a structured reunification plan with assigned responsibilities, clear ownership, and a timeline to ensure sustained family stability post-reunification. Reunification plans shall be regularly reviewed and updated to reflect progress and evolving needs. Mandatory quarterly service plan reviews shall be conducted with a foster child's biological parent, case manager, child welfare agency, and any relevant support services. Case managers shall provide biological parents with hands-on guidance in securing stable housing, employment, and child care to maintain reunification.

(4) Family relationship building. Structured family engagement sessions shall be implemented during the first 6 months to rebuild and strengthen bonds between foster children and their biological parents. Parenting coaching, supervised visitation, and family therapy shall be provided as part of the reunification process. Conflict resolution training and trauma-informed parenting strategies shall be integrated into engagement activities to foster a stable and supportive home environment. Mentorship and peer support groups shall be available for parents to connect with others navigating the reunification process.

(5) Reunification goals. The Pilot Program shall aim to reunify at least 40% of newly placed foster children with their biological parents within 18 to 24 months. Success metrics shall include sustained reunification, parental employment stability, and housing security. The Department shall continuously evaluate the Pilot Program to determine best practices for expanding reunification efforts statewide.

(d) The Pilot Program shall have a workforce development component that provides all of the following:

(1) Employment and economic stability support.

(A) Parents shall have access to comprehensive job readiness training, including resume writing, interview coaching, workplace communication skills, and professional development workshops.

(B) A 12-week subsidized on-the-job employment program shall provide paid work experience in partnership with local businesses and workforce agencies.

(C) Vocational training opportunities shall be offered in high-demand industries, including health care, technology, skilled trades, and customer service.

(D) Case managers shall support parents in securing stable employment that aligns with their skills and career aspirations, ensuring long-term economic self-sufficiency.

(2) Financial literacy and job placement assistance.

(A) Parents shall receive financial literacy training focused on budgeting, credit repair, debt management, and savings strategies.

(B) Job placement assistance shall include direct employer partnerships, apprenticeship programs, and career advancement opportunities.

(C) Child care assistance and transportation stipends shall be provided to remove barriers to employment.

(D) Wraparound financial coaching services shall be offered to support ongoing economic stability beyond reunification.

(3) Additional services.

(A) A separate legal caseworker structure shall be used for parents and foster children to ensure specialized advocacy and support.

(B) Parents shall have access to legal guidance regarding employment rights, housing assistance, and child welfare processes.

(C) Regular case conferences shall be conducted to assess parents' progress in both workforce development and reunification readiness.

(e) The Department shall conduct a 2-year review of the Pilot Program to commence at the end of the second full year of the Pilot Program. During its review, the Department shall evaluate and determine the scalability and long-term viability of the Pilot Program.

Beginning one year after the Pilot Program's implementation date, and each year thereafter, the Department shall submit a report to the General Assembly on reunification rates, family engagement metrics, funding adjustments, and workforce development outcomes under the Pilot Program. The final report shall be submitted at the end of the final full year of the 4-year pilot period or as soon thereafter as practical.".