Section 402.16  Meeting Basic Needs of Children

a)         All children in the foster family shall be treated equitably.

b)         Children shall receive supervision appropriate to their developmental age at all times.  All children in the foster home shall be protected from exploitation, neglect, and abuse.  Suspected child abuse or neglect shall be reported to the supervising agency and to the Department immediately.

c)         Foster parents are expected to use normalcy parenting and the reasonable and prudent parent standard for decision-making regarding the child's participation in extracurricular, cultural and social activities that are appropriate for the child's normal growth and development and enrichment.  Normalcy parenting empowers foster parents to make decisions about appropriate activities without seeking approval or consent from the caseworker or guardian.  Foster parents must still seek consent in other areas where specific State or federal laws limit consent authorization.  A foster parent is not liable for harm caused to a child in care who participates in an appropriate activity approved by the foster parent, provided that the foster parent has acted as a reasonable and prudent parent in permitting the child to engage in the activity.

d)         Foster parents shall provide the child with enrichment and expanded learning opportunities to explore a wide variety of interest areas to expand his or her knowledge of learning possibilities that may lead to the child's systematic and lifelong involvement in one or more interest areas.  Foster parents are expected to use normalcy parenting and the reasonable and prudent parent standard to support the child's pursuit of his or her areas of interest.

e)         Foster parents shall make every effort to preserve family ties between siblings, recognizing their need for stability and continuity of relationships, and the importance of sibling contact in the development of each child's identity.  Foster parents shall help and support children in developing a relationship with their siblings, including siblings with whom the children do not yet have a relationship, and encourage and facilitate contact between the siblings.

f)         Each child shall be given the opportunity to develop social relationships through participation in schools, and other community and group activities. Each child shall have the opportunity to invite friends to the foster home and to visit in the home of friends.

g)         Foster parents shall use normalcy parenting and the reasonable and prudent parent standard to decide if a child in care can visit overnight with friends or relatives of the child or foster parents.  Foster parents are authorized to approve visits that do not exceed 48 hours away from the foster parents' care.  Visits of more than 48 hours must be approved by the DCFS Guardian.

h)         Personal allowance money shall be available to the children based upon the child's age and ability to manage the money.  Adolescents may be allowed to earn additional spending money.

i)          Foster parents shall assist the child in the proper handling of money.

j)          Each child shall have the opportunity to learn to assume some responsibility for himself and for household duties in accordance with his age, health, and ability.  No child shall be permitted to do tasks which are hazardous, dangerous or risk harm to the child.

k)         The supervising agency shall immediately be notified of any situation that affects the care of the child, including but not limited to death, serious illness, incarceration, death of a child or any other significant occurrence.

(Source:  Amended at 42 Ill. Reg. 20321, effective October 31, 2018)