Public Act 099-0781
 
HB4996 EnrolledLRB099 18316 NHT 42690 b

    AN ACT concerning education.
 
    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
 
    Section 5. The School Code is amended by adding Sections
10-20.58 and 34-18.50 as follows:
 
    (105 ILCS 5/10-20.58 new)
    Sec. 10-20.58. DCFS liaison.
    (a) Each school board may appoint at least one employee to
act as a liaison to facilitate the enrollment and transfer of
records of students in the legal custody of the Department of
Children and Family Services when enrolling in or changing
schools. The school board may appoint any employee of the
school district who is licensed under Article 21B of this Code
to act as a liaison; however, employees who meet any of the
following criteria must be prioritized for appointment:
        (1) Employees who have worked with mobile student
    populations or students in foster care.
        (2) Employees who are familiar with enrollment, record
    transfers, existing community services, and student
    support services.
        (3) Employees who serve as a high-level administrator.
        (4) Employees who are counselors or have experience
    with student counseling.
        (5) Employees who are knowledgeable on child welfare
    policies.
        (6) Employees who serve as a school social worker.
    (b) Liaisons under this Section are encouraged to build
capacity and infrastructure within their school district to
support students in the legal custody of the Department of
Children and Family Services. Liaison responsibilities may
include the following:
        (1) streamlining the enrollment processes for students
    in foster care;
        (2) implementing student data tracking and monitoring
    mechanisms;
        (3) ensuring that students in the legal custody of the
    Department of Children and Family Services receive all
    school nutrition and meal programs available;
        (4) coordinating student withdrawal from a school,
    record transfers, and credit recovery;
        (5) becoming experts on the foster care system and
    State laws and policies in place that support children
    under the legal custody of the Department of Children and
    Family Services;
        (6) coordinating with child welfare partners;
        (7) providing foster care-related information and
    training to the school district;
        (8) working with the Department of Children and Family
    Services to help students maintain their school placement,
    if appropriate;
        (9) reviewing student schedules to ensure that
    students are on track to graduate;
        (10) encouraging a successful transition into
    adulthood and post-secondary opportunities;
        (11) encouraging involvement in extracurricular
    activities; and
        (12) knowing what support is available within the
    school district and community for students in the legal
    custody of the Department of Children and Family Services.
    (c) A school district is encouraged to designate a liaison
by the beginning of the 2017-2018 school year.
    (d) Individuals licensed under Article 21B of this Code
acting as a liaison under this Section shall perform the duties
of a liaison in addition to existing contractual obligations.
 
    (105 ILCS 5/34-18.50 new)
    Sec. 34-18.50. DCFS liaison.
    (a) The board may appoint at least one employee to act as a
liaison to facilitate the enrollment and transfer of records of
students in the legal custody of the Department of Children and
Family Services when enrolling in or changing schools. The
board may appoint any employee of the school district who is
licensed under Article 21B of this Code to act as a liaison;
however, employees who meet any of the following criteria must
be prioritized for appointment:
        (1) Employees who have worked with mobile student
    populations or students in foster care.
        (2) Employees who are familiar with enrollment, record
    transfers, existing community services, and student
    support services.
        (3) Employees who serve as a high-level administrator.
        (4) Employees who are counselors or have experience
    with student counseling.
        (5) Employees who are knowledgeable on child welfare
    policies.
        (6) Employees who serve as a school social worker.
    (b) Liaisons under this Section are encouraged to build
capacity and infrastructure within the school district to
support students in the legal custody of the Department of
Children and Family Services. Liaison responsibilities may
include the following:
        (1) streamlining the enrollment processes for students
    in foster care;
        (2) implementing student data tracking and monitoring
    mechanisms;
        (3) ensuring that students in the legal custody of the
    Department of Children and Family Services receive all
    school nutrition and meal programs available;
        (4) coordinating student withdrawal from a school,
    record transfers, and credit recovery;
        (5) becoming experts on the foster care system and
    State laws and policies in place that support children
    under the legal custody of the Department of Children and
    Family Services;
        (6) coordinating with child welfare partners;
        (7) providing foster care-related information and
    training to the school district;
        (8) working with the Department of Children and Family
    Services to help students maintain their school placement,
    if appropriate;
        (9) reviewing student schedules to ensure that
    students are on track to graduate;
        (10) encouraging a successful transition into
    adulthood and post-secondary opportunities;
        (11) encouraging involvement in extracurricular
    activities; and
        (12) knowing what support is available within the
    school district and community for students in the legal
    custody of the Department of Children and Family Services.
    (c) The school district is encouraged to designate a
liaison by the beginning of the 2017-2018 school year.
    (d) Individuals licensed under Article 21B of this Code
acting as a liaison under this Section shall perform the duties
of a liaison in addition to existing contractual obligations.
 
    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
becoming law.