Section 415.50  General Considerations for Certifying and Placement in Relative Homes

a)         Youth in care's wishes. When a youth in care expresses their wishes, the placing worker shall consider the youth in care's wishes when making the placement decision.

b)         Reunification. The placing worker shall consider the family's history, degree of cooperation, potential for quick reunification, obstacles to reunification being addressed by the family, and the Applicant's readiness to assist in reuniting the family.

c)         Permanent placement. The placing worker shall consider the Applicant's capacity and willingness to offer the youth in care a permanent placement.

d)         Parents. The placing worker shall consider the parents' wishes unless the wishes conflict with the youth in care's best interest.

e)         Renewals. The Department shall not require a certification renewal for the same placement unless original circumstances change.

f)         Re-assessments. If the designated youth in care is going to be placed in a certified relative caregiver home and it has been over six months since the home's certification, the certified caregiver home will be reevaluated in accordance with the procedures described in this Part. (See 225 ILCS 10/3.4)

g)         Re-examinations. A certified relative caregiver home shall immediately be re-examined if anyone in the home is indicated for child abuse or neglect. The purpose of the re-examination is to determine if the home is still a suitable placement and still satisfies the minimal certification requirements specified in this Part. The re-examination shall be concluded within 10 business days of the indicated finding and is separate from the formal investigation of the abuse or neglect report.