89 Ill. Adm. Code 3150.315.30
Best Interests, Health and Safety of the Child
TITLE 89: SOCIAL SERVICES
CHAPTER III: DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES
SUBCHAPTER a: SERVICE DELIVERY
PART 315 PERMANENCY PLANNING
SECTION 315.30 BEST INTERESTS, HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE CHILD
Section 315.30 Best Interests, Health and Safety of the
Child
a) Best
Interests, Health and Safety of the Child
Permanency planning is an on‑going
process that first and foremost must consider the best interests, health and
safety of the child in all planning decisions. Health and safety are the
paramount factors that must be considered when determining the best interests
of the child. This means that a child is or will be in a living arrangement
that meets the placement selection criteria contained in 89 Ill. Adm. Code 301
(Placement and Visitation Services), or for an Indian child, that meets the
placement selection criteria contained in 89 Ill. Admin. Code 307 (Indian Child
Welfare Services), and that protects the child’s physical health and safety and
promotes the child’s emotional, medical, and developmental well-being.
1) When
evaluating the best interests of the child, the Department or its purchase of
service provider shall consider the following factors as provided in the
Juvenile Court Act:
A)
the
physical safety and welfare of the child, including food, shelter, health, and
clothing;
B)
the
development of the child’s identity;
C)
the
child’s background and ties, including familial and religious,
including
the primary method and/or language of communication between the child and the
biological parents or any other special communication needs;
D)
the
child’s sense of attachments, including:
i)
where
the child actually feels love, attachment, and a sense of being valued (as
opposed to where adults believe the child should feel such love, attachment,
and a sense of being valued);
ii)
the
child’s sense of security;
iii)
the
child’s sense of familiarity;
iv)
continuity
of affection for the child;
v)
the
least disruptive placement alternative for the child;
E)
the
child’s wishes and long-term goals;
F)
the
child’s community ties, including church, school, and friends;
G)
the
child’s need for permanence, which includes the child’s need for stability and
continuity of relationships with parent figures and with siblings and other
relatives;
H)
the
uniqueness of every family and child;
I)
the
risks attendant to entering and being in substitute care; and
J)
the
preferences of the persons available to care for the child.
[705 ILCS
405/1-3].
2) The
Department and purchase of service providers shall consider the importance of
maintaining, preserving and supporting sibling relationships and, when
selecting and assessing placements, shall comply with placement selection,
visitation and contact requirements set out in 89 Ill. Adm. Code 301 (Placement
and Visitation).
b) The
child's best interests and health and safety must be considered and documented
throughout service intervention and during, but not limited to, the following
activities:
1) investigation
of allegations of abuse or neglect;
2) completion
of safety and risk assessments;
3) completion
of the comprehensive assessment;
4) worker/client
contacts;
5) service
planning;
6) permanency goal
selection;
7) family
meetings;
8) administrative
case reviews;
9) legal
screenings; and
10) permanency
hearings and other court proceedings; and
11) post-permanency
sibling contact.