August 25, 2009

Differential Response Program Act, Illinois Senate Bill 807

As of January 1, 2010, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) will start a differential response pilot to provide services to prevent child abuse and neglect. The differential response pilot was part of the Differential Response Program Act, Senate Bill 807. The differential response program will permit the Illinios Department of Children and Families (DCFS) to respond to allegations of abuse or neglect by assessing families and referring them to tailored services with no risk of child removal. Previously, DCFS was only able to conduct investigations that required a decision to leave or remove a child from the family. DCFS will conduct a five-year pilot program in which a percentage of families involved in abuse or neglect allegations related to pre-selected low-risk factors will receive a family assessment and referrals to services. Other families with similar risk factors will receive a standard investigation. The differential response pilot will only be for families with low-risk factors. DCFS is in the process of determining the risk factors that will merit the family assessment rather than an investigation.