DCFS-FORMER FOSTER FAMILY

Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Provides that whenever a child is placed in the substitute care of the Department of Children and Family Services, and the child has previously been in substitute care, the Department may consider a child's former foster parent as a placement option for the child. Provides that if the Department determines that it is not in the best interest of the child to be placed with the former foster parent, the Department shall document the basis for its decision and maintain the documentation in the child's case file. Provides that the fact that the former foster parent is licensed through an agency other than the agency assigned to the child's case shall not be a basis for determining that placement with the former foster parent is not in the child's best interest. Provides that the fact that the former foster parent is no longer licensed to provide foster care shall not be a basis for determining that placement with the former foster parent is not in the child's best interest, if the former foster parent is eligible to receive a permit issued by the Department under the Child Care Act of 1969 and the former foster parent is willing to make timely and sufficient application for a foster care license. Provides that the provisions of the amendatory Act do not apply if a court previously found that the child's placement in the former foster home was not necessary or appropriate, or if the child was previously removed from the care of the former foster parent because of abuse or neglect.