Illinois Guardianship Assistance Waiver and GAP Implementation September 15, 2010

2 GAP Training Provide clear message about the agencys philosophy about permanence. Present Guardianship as permanency and clarify when and how it is most effective; specify how it is different from adoption Allow staff time to process the idea of guardianship as part of the training. Integrate the guardianship training into core training. Assure frequency and consistency of training. Assure supervisors thoroughly understand the basics and can interpret for staff. And, Assure staff understand Adoption rule out.

3 GAP Implementation Identify a point person to answer all questions and assure accuracy of information disseminated. Develop all procedures, subsidy forms, etc. prior to training. Develop fact sheets and handbooks regarding guardianship/adoption and services provided. Web-based training is excellent means to continue to make training available and to refresh knowledge of staff that have been trained. Provide training geared to specific stakeholders (Judges, attorneys, advocates) prior to implementation. And, Develop and maintain a Steering Committee to oversee all aspects of implementation and continue to meet periodically after implementation.

4 Subsidized Guardianship Overview Operated as a Child Welfare Demonstration Project under Section 1130 of the Social Security Act (created by Welfare Reform) Began May 1997, has had several extensions and one negotiated five year renewal (Enhanced SG Waiver) Available to children in a HMR placement for one year or children over 12 in traditional foster care for one year (exceptions for sibling groups) Related caregivers did NOT have to be licensed Subsidy Agreement and Amount similar to Adoption Assistance

5 Subsidized Guardianship Overview (cont.) Enhanced SG made independent living and transition services available to SG Experimental children going into adoption or SG living arrangement after age 14 Prior to KinGAP there were approximately 5,150 children in a SG Living Arrangement

6 GAP Eligibility – Caseworker Perspective A childs Title IV-E Foster Care eligibility status does not impact their eligibility to participate in the GAP but if found to be Title IV-E GAP ineligible, the subsidy costs would be state funded. By using the states child welfare information system, Caseworkers are responsible for: – Documenting how child was removed from home (VPA, Court) – Ensuring all other permanency options have been ruled out and the permanency goal is GAP, – The child has lived with the relative caregiver for at least 6 months, – The home has been licensed for at least 6 months, – Child has strong attachment to guardian and guardian has strong commitment to child – Documenting that there is a GAP eligible sibling living with the same guardian – If child is over 14, the decision to move to GAP has been discussed with them – If non-related guardian, child is over 14 (state funded) – Parent(s) have consented or good cause to pursue GAP without consent is documented Title IV-E GAP eligibility is determined by a centralized eligibility determinations unit.

7 Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program – Primary Differences The Key Differences between KinGAP and SG are: Relative home must be licensed for six consecutive months before child is eligible to go into KinGAP Child only needs to have lived in the Relative Foster Home for six months (not one year) Federal IV-E KinGAP is not available for Children in non-related foster care placements, however DCFS has opted to State fund non-related KinGAPs if the child is over 14 The definition of Kin, could be expanded

8 KinGAP Eligibility and Programmatic Details (cont.) DCFS Exceptions to Federal Requirements: Child does not have to be IV-E Foster Care eligible to go into KinGAP A child over the age of 14 placed with a non related foster parent can go into KinGAP Note: Under the above two conditions, the KinGAP subsidy will be 100% state funded, AND, all other requirements must still be met

9 Contact Information June Dorn, Statewide Post Adoption and Guardianship Administrator or (312) Birdell Fry, Federal Claiming Consultant or (217) x 209