Bill > HB3732

This bill establishes a 5-year Biological Foster Care Case Management Pilot Program through the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to improve family reunification efforts. The program addresses the current low reunification rates, with only 18.6% of children in Cook County being reunited with their families within 24 months. The bill requires DCFS to develop individualized, time-bound reunification plans for each child in foster care, with a primary goal of returning children to their biological parents after an appropriate stabilization period. The program includes specialized caseworkers focused on building relationships with biological families, offering tools such as mental health evaluations, family counseling, and reintegration services. A key component is a mandatory 2-year plan involving the child, parents, and stakeholders, with quarterly service plan reviews and a target of reunifying at least 40% of new foster care children within 18-24 months. Additionally, the pilot program includes a workforce development component that provides job readiness training, internships, and financial literacy services for both parents and foster youth aged 16 and older to support economic stability and successful family reunification. The Department will be required to submit annual reports to the General Assembly detailing the program's outcomes, including reunification rates, family engagement metrics, and workforce development results.

Health and Social Services

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=3732&GAID=18&DocTypeID=HB&SessionID=114&GA=104