New Illinois law makes it easier for grandparents, relatives to care for foster kids

CHICAGO - Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signed a new bill this week that gives the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) more flexibility in certifying grandparents and other relatives as safe caregivers for kids in DCFS care.

The bill will also create a pathway for more kids in care to find permanent homes through guardianship.

What is the ‘KIND’ Act?

What we know:

The KIND Act will make it easier for DCFS to create more flexible certification standards for relative caregivers, while still keeping important safety and welfare checks in place.

The governor’s office says this will make it less of a hassle for relatives to get the financial support they need to care for kids.

DCFS is working on the rules that will define what’s required for relative caregiver homes, and they plan to put them into action soon.

The goal of the KIND Act is to help more kids in Illinois grow up with extended family members they already know and love, especially when reunification with their parents isn't possible right away.

In addition, the governor's office says the KIND Act will improve the child welfare system and provide better support for relatives raising kids by:

• Equalizing payments to relatives with the rate provided for traditional foster parents;
• Helping youth-in-care maintain connections with their families;
• Tailoring services and support to kinship families;
• Engaging young people, their families, and kinship caregivers in permanency planning to materially improve their overall experiences;
• Making certain the wishes of young people and their families are taken into account when planning for the youth’s future; and
• Treating adoption and guardianship as equally viable options when reunification with parents is not possible.

By the numbers:

The governor’s office pointed out that studies show kids in care do better when they stay with relatives in stable, familiar homes. It helps them feel more connected, boosts their sense of identity, and improves their overall well-being.

Right now, about 9,300 kids in DCFS care are living with relatives, but many of them don’t get the same benefits as licensed foster parents because of outdated rules.

Relative caregivers are usually family members like grandparents, aunts, uncles, or cousins who look after a child’s safety and well-being. On the other hand, licensed foster parents have gone through the DCFS process to become officially approved caregivers. The KIND Act would help give more financial support to those relatives who step in to help.

What they're saying:

Other local officials also shared their thoughts on the signing of the bill, alongside the Illinois governor:

"Staying in a familiar place and seeing a comforting face every day can make all the difference in the life of a child-in-care," said Pritzker. "The KIND Act enhances family finding efforts to ensure we are doing everything we can to identify relatives who can care for and maintain ongoing, supportive connections with our youth. Just as importantly, it holds us accountable to incorporate the voices of youth and families in decisions that have a lasting impact on their lives. Thank you to the General Assembly, the Illinois ACLU, and my state government partners for helping make this important legislation possible."

"Children are more likely to thrive if they remain connected to their loved ones and community," said Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Director Heidi E. Mueller. "The KIND Act recognizes the significant role that families and communities play in the lives of children and youth and helps to equalize the cost of raising a child. The KIND Act is a firm example of our commitment to center our policies, practices and procedures on what is best for children and families, and we are grateful to Governor Pritzker, the Illinois legislature, and the ACLU for recognizing the importance of supporting our youth in care by supporting their families." 

"The KIND Act recognizes what we've always known in our communities – that children thrive when they maintain connections to family and familiar faces during difficult transitions. By prioritizing kinship care, we're preserving children’s sense of identity, cultural bonds, and family relationships," said State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago). "This law transforms our approach to child welfare, putting families first and giving our children the best chance to heal and flourish in the care of those who already know and love them."

"The KIND Act provides responsible, commonsense updates to DCFS practice that will make it easier for family members to step up and provide stable, caring homes for children in crisis," said Rep. Terra Costa Howard (D-Glen Ellyn). "When we support these family caregivers and provide the foster care benefits these families need and deserve, we can help to put these children on a path to happier, healthier adult lives."

"The KIND Act will finally ensure that the state will do everything we can to keep families together by prioritizing familial connections when placing system-involved youth," said Rep. Marcus Evans (D-Chicago). "Evidence shows that young people are more likely to thrive when these bonds are maintained, and I'm proud to have a governor and state that are committed to ensuring that all of our young people have the support and resources they need to succeed."