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Quinn Signs Three Child Welfare-Related Laws
Three new bills signed into law are aimed at reforming child welfare in Illinois.

The new laws enable the Department of Children and Family Services to better support families in need, strengthen the relationships between parents and children and build better futures for youth transitioning from state care to adult independence.

"These important bills begin a new era of child welfare in Illinois where we reach out to families to provide a helping hand before a crisis occurs," Gov. Pat Quinn said before signing the bills into law.

The Differential Response Program Act allows DCFS to handle each case with more flexibility. If the risk of harm to the child is low, DCFS will be allowed to conduct a less disruptive family assessment rather than a formal departmental investigation.

Another bill, sponsored by State Sep. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago), allows emancipated youth who are still under the age of 21 to receive assistance from DCFS.

The third bill allows the court and DCFS to review the case of a child 13 years of age or older and determine if parent’s rights that have been terminated can be restored.

(Illinois Radio Network)
08 26 09 by Newsroom
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