Section 415.60  Certified Relative Caregiver Orientation

A placing worker shall provide a certified relative caregiver with an orientation that includes the following information:

a)         the caregiver's right to be heard in juvenile court proceedings;

b)         the availability of the advocacy hotline and Office of Inspector General that caregivers may use to report incidents of misconduct or violation of rules by Department employees, service providers, or contractors;

c)         the Department's expectation for caregiver obligations including, but not limited to:

1)         specific requirements of court orders;

2)         critical incident notifications and timeframes;

3)         Age-appropriate supervision that meets the youth in care's identified needs. Permanency workers will be required to discuss supervision during monthly home visits.

4)         out-of-state travel;

5)         consent procedures; and

6)         providing safe and affirming care to support the youth in care.

d)         assistance available to the certified relative caregivers, including:

1)         child care;

2)         respite care;

3)         transportation assistance;

4)         case management;

5)         training and support groups;

6)         kinship navigator services;

7)         financial assistance; and

8)         after hours and weekend 24 hours, 7 days a week emergency supports, and how to access such assistance.

e)         the expectation of using normalcy parenting and the reasonable prudent parent standard. Relative caregivers are expected to use normalcy parenting and the reasonable prudent parent standard as described in 20 ILCS 505/7.3a for decision making regarding the youth in care's participation in extracurricular, cultural, and social activities that are appropriate for the youth in care's normal growth and development and enrichment; and

f)         permanency options.

g)         All adults who reside in the home shall receive orientation in a manner and location that is convenient for them. The options offered shall include, but are not limited to, one-on-one sessions held at the residence after business hours in the caregivers' preferred language. Residents of certified relative caregiver homes shall be provided with training opportunities. Training shall not be required and shall not cause a delay in the certification process for certified relative caregiver homes. [225 ILCS 10/3.4(e)]