Illinois Administrative Code › Title 89 - SOCIAL SERVICES › Part 340 - FOSTER PARENT CODE › Subpart E - SEVERABILITY OF THIS PART › Appendix B - Rating Components for Foster Parent Law Annual Implementation Plan

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 28, July 12, 2024
The following identifies the rating components that will be
				  used in evaluating the Foster Parent Law Implementation Plans. Rating
				  components are indicated under each foster parent right and responsibility.
				  Unless otherwise noted, each component is worth one point. The narrative must
				  describe how the agency or region does what each component requires in order to
				  receive the point.
Foster Parent Rights
(Explanation of how agency
				  insures foster parent rights)
1. The right to be treated with dignity, respect,
				  and consideration as a professional member of the child welfare team.
The agency or region has and implements strategies
				  to ensure that its foster parents are treated with dignity and respect
Total - 5 points
2. The right to be given standardized pre-service
				  training and appropriate ongoing training to meet mutually assessed needs and
				  improve the foster parent's skills.
Minimum standardized pre-service training per 89
				  Ill. Adm. Code 402 (Licensing Standards for Foster Family Homes)
PRIDE or other DCFS approved training
Co-training approach (foster parent/staff)
Regular utilization of mutual assessment tool for
				  training needs
Training commensurate with levels of care
				  provided
Evidence of ongoing training schedule or
				  calendar
Total - 6 points
3. The right to be informed as to how to contact
				  the appropriate child placement agency in order to receive information and
				  assistance to access supportive services for children in the foster parent's
				  care.
24 hour/7 day availability of emergency
				  support
Established method for accessing support services
				  (e.g., SASS, placement stabilization and staff phone numbers and on-call
				  schedules)
Total - 2 points
4. The right to receive timely financial
				  reimbursement commensurate with the care needs of the child as specified in the
				  service plan.
Regular board payment (attached rate
				  schedule)
Payment for additional services, such as respite
				  care and camp
Timely assessment and payment commensurate with
				  levels of care provided
Method of resolving payment problems
Total - 4 points
5. The right to be provided a clear, written
				  understanding of a placement agency's plan concerning the placement of a child
				  in the foster parent's home. Inherent in this right is the foster parent's
				  responsibility to support activities that will promote the child's right to
				  relationships with his or her own family and cultural heritage.
Foster parent participation in development of the
				  case plan
Timely notification of changes in case
				  plan/permanency goal, including method of notification
Foster parent participation/input into visitation/
				  communication plan
Total - 3 points
6. The right to be provided a fair, timely, and
				  impartial investigation of complaints concerning the foster parent's licensure,
				  to be provided the opportunity to have a person of the foster parent's choosing
				  present during the investigation, and to be provided due process during the
				  investigation; the right to be provided the opportunity to request and receive
				  mediation or an administrative review of decisions that affect licensing
				  parameters, or both mediation and an administrative review; and the right to
				  have decisions concerning a licensing corrective action plan specifically
				  explained and tied to the licensing standards violated.
Policy describing the agency's investigation of
				  alleged violations and demonstration of how the agency disseminates that
				  information to foster parents
Person of foster parent's choosing present during
				  the investigation
Specified time frames for investigation as
				  required by 89 Ill. Adm. Code 383
Procedure for appealing negative
				  results/corrective action plans (NOTE: Merely stating that DCFS procedure is
				  followed is not sufficient.)
Total - 4 points
7. The right, at any time during which a child is
				  placed with the foster parent, to receive additional or necessary information
				  that is relative to the care of the child.
Caseworker training in all information to be
				  disclosed
Description of how caseworkers are held
				  accountable for sharing the information
Total - 2 points
8. The right to be given information concerning a
				  child from the Department as required under Section 5 of the Children and
				  Family Services Act and from a child welfare agency as required under Section
				  7.4 (c-5) of the Child Care Act of 1969.
The agency has clear rules and procedures as to
				  what information to share and how to share it with foster parents (see Section
				  340.40 )
Staff training in all pertinent policies and
				  procedures
Description of how caseworkers are held
				  accountable for sharing the information
Total - 4 points
9. The right to be notified of scheduled meetings
				  and staffings concerning the foster child in order to actively participate in
				  the case planning and decision-making process regarding the child, including
				  individual service planning meetings, administrative case reviews,
				  interdisciplinary staffings, and individual educational planning meetings; the
				  right to be informed of decisions made by the courts or the child welfare
				  agency concerning the child; the right to provide input concerning the plan of
				  services for the child and to have that input given full consideration in the
				  same manner as information presented by any other professional on the team; and
				  the right to communicate with other professionals who work with the foster
				  child within the context of the team, including therapists, physicians, and
				  teachers.
Foster parents notified and encouraged to
				  participate in all meetings and staffings about foster children in their
				  care
Foster parents informed of decisions made by
				  agencies and courts
Foster parents encouraged to give input into case
				  planning and input is given full consideration
Foster parents encouraged to communicate with all
				  child team members
Total - 4 points
10. The right to be given, in a timely and
				  consistent manner, any information a case worker has regarding the child and
				  the child's family which is pertinent to the care and needs of the child and to
				  the making of a permanency plan for the child. Disclosure of information
				  concerning the child's family shall be limited to that information that is
				  essential for understanding the needs of and providing care to the child in
				  order to protect the rights of the child's family. When a positive relationship
				  exists between the foster parent and the child's family, the child's family may
				  consent to disclosure of additional information.
A description is given to foster parents at
				  intake, and a prescribed method of disclosing information is utilized
Ongoing sharing of information that is pertinent
				  to the well-being and health of the child
Total - 2 points
11. The right to be given reasonable written
				  notice of any change in a child's case plan, plans to terminate the placement
				  of the child with the foster parent, and the reasons for the change or
				  termination in placement. The notice shall be waived only in cases of a court
				  order or when a child is determined to be at imminent risk of harm.
14 day notice (not applicable for movements
				  involving imminent risk)
Notice in writing
Appeal, including emergency review process, is
				  given to foster parent
Total - 3 points
12. The right to be notified in a timely and
				  complete manner of all court hearings, including notice of the date and time of
				  the court hearing, the name of the judge or hearing officer hearing the case,
				  the location of the hearing, and the court docket number of the case; and the
				  right to intervene in court proceedings or to seek mandamus under the Juvenile
				  Court Act of 1987.
Method for notifying foster parents of hearings
				  and their right to be heard
Description of how caseworkers are held
				  accountable for notifying foster parents
Total - 2 points
13. The right to be considered as a placement
				  option when a foster child who was formerly placed with the foster parent is to
				  be re-entered into foster care, if that placement is consistent with the best
				  interest of the child and other children in the foster parent's home.
Method for checking past placement records, when
				  possible
Process for determining best interest regarding
				  placement decision
Total - 2 points
14. The right to have timely access to the child
				  placement agency's existing appeals process and the right to be free from acts
				  of harassment and retaliation by any other party when exercising the right to
				  appeal.
Documentation that an internal appeals system has
				  been established and description of how it prohibits retaliation
Process for accessing the external DCFS appeals
				  system, when necessary
Total - 2 points
15. The right to be informed of the Foster Parent
				  Hotline established under Section 35.6 of the Children and Family Services Act
				  and all of the rights accorded to foster parents concerning reports of
				  misconduct by Department employees, service providers, or contractors,
				  confidential handling of those reports, and investigation by the Inspector
				  General appointed under Section
				  35.5 of the Children
				  and Family Services Act.
Training/brochures available on the Foster Parent
				  Hotline and the Office of the Inspector General
Total - 1 point
Foster Parent Responsibilities
(Explanation of
				  how agency makes foster parents aware of and helps to achieve or meet their
				  responsibilities)
1. The responsibility to openly communicate and
				  share information about the child with other members of the child welfare
				  team.
Training on type and importance
Total - 1 point
2. The responsibility to respect the
				  confidentiality of information concerning foster children and their families
				  and act appropriately within applicable confidentiality laws and
				  regulations.
Initial and ongoing training on importance of
				  confidentiality
Laws and regulations available to foster
				  parents
Total - 2 points
3. The responsibility to advocate for children in
				  the foster parent's care.
Educational advocacy training available
Court training available
Service appeal brochures and training
				  available
Encouragement to participate in staffings,
				  Administrative Case Reviews, Placement Review Teams, case conferences and court
				  hearings
Total - 4 points
4. The responsibility to treat children in the
				  foster parent's care and the children's family with dignity, respect, and
				  consideration.
Initial and ongoing training on this topic
Monitoring by staff charged with case
				  management
Total - 4 points
5. The responsibility to recognize the foster
				  parent's own individual and familial strengths and limitations when deciding
				  whether to accept a child into care; and the responsibility to recognize the
				  foster parent's own support needs and utilize appropriate supports in providing
				  care for foster children.
Ongoing mutual assessment method
Training based on assessments
Placements based on strengths
Support needs addressed
Total - 4 points
6. The responsibility to be aware of the benefits
				  of relying on and affiliating with other foster parents and foster parent
				  associations in improving the quality of care and service to children and
				  families.
Affiliations with foster parent associations are
				  encouraged and facilitated
Internal support groups encouraged, and
				  information provided to foster parents
Total - 2 points
7. The responsibility to assess the foster
				  parent's ongoing individual training needs and take action to meet those
				  needs.
Method and tool for assessing general training
				  needs of foster parents
Process for providing for identified needs
Total - 2 points
8. The responsibility to develop and assist in
				  implementing strategies to prevent placement disruptions, recognizing the
				  traumatic impact of placement disruptions on a foster child and all members of
				  the foster family; and the responsibility to provide emotional support for the
				  foster children and members of the foster family if preventive strategies fail
				  and placement disruptions occur.
Method of early identification of children at risk
				  of disrupting or creating disruption in the family
Support for foster children and family members if
				  preventive strategies fail
Training in purpose and availability of
				  stabilization services
Total - 3 points
9. The responsibility to know the impact foster
				  parenting has on individuals and family relationships; and the responsibility
				  to endeavor to minimize, as much as possible, any stress that results from
				  foster parenting.
Training/methods to recognize and minimize stress
				  factors Respite available
"Voluntary hold" methods explained and
				  understood
Counseling and other supports available
Total - 4 points
10. The responsibility to know the rewards and
				  benefits to children, parents, families, and society that come from foster
				  parenting and to promote the foster parenting experience in a positive
				  way.
Foster parents informed of events/activities that
				  acknowledge and support foster parents and participation is encouraged
Training in the public relations aspect of foster
				  parenting is made available
Total - 2 points
11. The responsibility to know the roles, rights,
				  and responsibilities of foster parents, other professionals in the child
				  welfare system, the foster child, and the foster child's own family.
Training and co-training with staff is
				  required
Regular meetings with other team members are held
				  and encouraged
Foster parents have a recognized voice within the
				  agency's management organization (3 points)
Total - 5 points
12. The responsibility to know and, as necessary,
				  fulfill the foster parent's responsibility to serve as a mandated reporter of
				  suspected child abuse or neglect under the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting
				  Act; and the responsibility to know the child welfare agency's policy regarding
				  allegations that foster parents have committed child abuse or neglect and
				  applicable administrative rules and procedures governing investigations of
				  those allegations.
Training, initial and ongoing, including Sexually
				  Abusive Children and Youth reporting responsibility
Written foster parent
				  acknowledgment/contract
Training involving allegations against foster
				  parents and the applicable rules and regulations that govern the investigation
				  of the allegations
Total - 3 points
13. The responsibility to know and receive
				  training regarding the purpose of administrative case reviews, client service
				  plans, and court processes, as well as any filing or time requirements
				  associated with those proceedings; and the responsibility to actively
				  participate in the foster parent's designated role in these proceedings.
Training on the importance of participating
Emphasis on foster parents taking an active role
				  in planning for permanency goal through court hearings, Administrative Case
				  Reviews, etc.
Total - 2 points
14. The responsibility to know the child welfare
				  agency's appeal procedure for foster parents and the rights of foster parents
				  under the procedure.
Awareness of agency's internal appeal systems and
				  utilization
Rights of foster parents spelled out
Total - 2 points
15. The responsibility to know and understand the
				  importance of maintaining accurate and relevant records regarding the child's
				  history and progress; and the responsibility to be aware of and follow the
				  procedures and regulations of the child welfare agency with which the foster
				  parent is licensed or affiliated.
Training provided on importance of complete
				  records
Regulations/expectations are available in
				  writing
Agency provides folder, notebook, or case record
				  for the storage and/or transportation of foster parent records
Total - 3 points
16. The responsibility to share information,
				  through the child welfare team, with the subsequent caregiver (whether the
				  child's parent or another substitute caregiver) regarding the child's
				  adjustments in the foster parent's home.
Training on this expectation is offered
Total - 1 point
17. The responsibility to provide care and
				  services that are respectful of and responsive to the child's cultural needs
				  and are supportive of the relationship between the child and his or her own
				  family; the responsibility to recognize the increased importance of maintaining
				  a child's cultural identity when the race or culture of the foster family
				  differs from that of the foster child; and the responsibility to take action to
				  address these issues.
Training encouraged and made available, both
				  initial and ongoing
Internal and external resources made accessible or
				  available
Total - 2 points
Other Scoring Components
1. The plan contains a description of an inclusive
				  and representative process for involving foster parents in developing the plan
				  - 2 points
2. The plan describes how agency case managers
				  were involved - 2 points
3. The plan contains names of foster parents who
				  had input into the plan - 2 points
4. The plan contains sign-off approval from foster
				  parents - 2 points
5. The public notification requirement was met - 2
				  points
6. Previously identified deficiencies were
				  addressed - 2 points
7. The plan related grievance procedure has been
				  established with input from agency foster parents, and the plan is operational
				  - 2 points
8. Foster parents are notified of the availability
				  of the grievance process - 2 points