Illinois Administrative Code › Title 89 - SOCIAL SERVICES › Part 402 - LICENSING STANDARDS FOR FOSTER FAMILY HOMES › Section 402.4 - Application for License

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 28, July 12, 2024
a) Application
				for license as a foster family home shall be completed, signed by the foster
				parent applicants, and filed with the Department of Children and Family
				Services by the supervising agency on forms prescribed by the Department.
				Applications submitted to the Department after July 1, 1995 shall be a complete
				application for a foster family home license, as defined in Section
				402.2. Any relative
				who receives a child or children for placement on a full-time basis may apply
				for a license to operate a foster family home as defined in Section 2.17 of the
				Child Care Act of 1969 [225 ILCS 10/2.17].
b) When a contractor with the Department or
				an employee of the State of Illinois seeks to become licensed as a foster
				family home, the study to determine compliance with licensing standards shall
				be provided by a licensed child welfare agency other than the Department and by
				persons who have no significant working relationship or personal relationship
				with the contractor or State employee. If the license is granted, the
				contractor or State employee may continue his or her contract or employment
				while operating the foster family home. The contractor's or employee's foster
				family home shall be supervised, monitored, licensed and evaluated by a
				licensed child welfare agency other than the Department and by individuals who
				have no significant working relationship or personal relationship with the
				employee. The contractor or employee shall consult with appropriate contract
				monitors and/or supervisors to make sure his or her official duties do not
				involve any interaction with the licensed child welfare agency responsible for
				supervising, monitoring, licensing, or evaluating the foster family home of the
				contractor or employee. When a foster parent contracted by the Department to
				provide support services to other foster parents chooses not to be supervised
				and monitored by a private agency, the foster parent may be licensed by the
				Department only when licensing and supervision is provided from Department
				staff in a region outside the contracted foster parent's region of residence
				and service provision.
c) As part
				of the application, each foster family home applicant and adult member of the
				household shall authorize background checks in accordance with 89 Ill. Adm.
				Code 385 (Background Checks) and shall submit to fingerprinting to determine if
				the individual has ever been charged with a crime, and if so, the disposition
				of the charges. In addition, members of the household ages 13 through 17 must
				authorize a check of CANTS and the Child Sex Offender Registry.
d) The child welfare agency shall conduct a
				home study for each initial application for foster home licensure under its
				supervision. The home study shall be conducted by a qualified licensing
				representative and shall be reviewed and approved by a qualified licensing
				supervisor. (Supervisor requirements can be found in 89 Ill. Adm. Code 401,
				Licensing Standards for Child Welfare Agencies.) The home study shall require
				the licensing representative to have one scheduled initial on-site visit to
				determine if the home meets licensing standards. The licensing representative
				shall provide in writing how the applicants can meet standards, or why they
				cannot meet standards, for foster home licensure at that time.
1) When more than 30 days have passed since
				the licensing representative has been to the home, prior to the recommendation
				to issue a foster home license, the licensing representative shall go to the
				home a second time to ensure the home continues to meet the requirements of
				this Part.
2) The licensing
				representative shall make a scheduled visit to the home when all household
				members are present to observe and assess family dynamics. The licensing
				representative, with supervisory approval, shall have discretion on whether to
				interview or observe each household member based on his or her age and
				development.
3) The licensing
				representative shall assess the applicant and the applicant's ability to
				communicate and effectively work with youth in care in conjunction with the
				youth's health care providers and other service providers.
4) Before a final recommendation for
				licensure is made, applicants shall provide specific and signed assurances they
				understand and shall adhere to provisions of this Part that include, but are
				not limited to, corporal punishment, smoking, alcohol and/or drug use, and
				reasonable and prudent parenting standards.