EXTENDED FAMILY SUPPORT SERVCS

Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Provides that beginning January 1, 2023, the Department of Children and Family Services shall implement a 3-year pilot program of additional resources for families receiving Extended Family Support Program services from the Department for the purpose of supporting relative caregivers. Provides that these resources may include, but are not limited to: (i) wraparound case management services, (ii) home visiting services for caregivers with children under the age of 5, and (iii) parent mentors for caregivers with children over the age of 3. Provides that the resources provided by the pilot program are voluntary and refusing such resources shall not be used as evidence of neglect of a child. Requires the Department to arrange for an independent evaluation of the pilot program to determine whether the pilot program is successfully supporting families receiving Extended Family Support Program services and preventing entrance into the foster care system. Provides that the evaluation will support determining whether there is a long-term cost benefit to continuing the pilot program. Provides that at the end of the 3-year pilot program, the Department shall submit a report to the General Assembly with its findings of the evaluation. Requires the report to state whether the Department intends to continue the pilot program and the rationale for its decision. Grants the Department rulemaking authority. Effective immediately. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the engrossed bill with the following changes: Permits the Department of Children and Family Services to consult with independent partners to review Extended Family Support Program services and advise if additional services are needed prior to the start of the 3-year pilot program scheduled to be implemented on January 1, 2023. Provides that the services for the Extended Family Support Program are expanded given the program's inclusion in the Family First Prevention Services Act's targeted populations. Sets forth other targeted populations. Provides that funding through Title IV-E of the Social Security Act shall be spent on services to prevent children and youth who are candidates for foster care from coming into care and allow them to remain with their families. Provides that the Department shall arrange for an independent evaluation of the pilot program to determine whether the pilot program is successfully supporting families receiving Extended Family Support Program services or Family First Prevention Program services. Effective immediately.