(FCRC) When a family applying for TANF says that they are receiving intact family services from DCFS:
- contact DCFS to determine what activities they are involved in;
- coordinate the DHS and DCFS service plans through staffings with DCFS to allow the applicant to cooperate with DCFS and move toward self-sufficiency; and
- maintain ongoing communication and planning with DCFS to ensure the family is assigned appropriate goals.
(DCFS) Completes a PACIS inquiry to see if a DCFS applicant is a TANF applicant. Inquiries are made:
- within one week of opening a new case, and
- 30 days prior to a 6-month desk review for existing DCFS cases.
If a DCFS client receives TANF, DCFS initiates a Referral Form (Form 2151) to the liaison at the DHS office.
The DHS Family Community Resource Center liaison is the Assistant Family Community Resource Center Administrator (ALOA) responsible for TANF.
In Cook County, the DCFS liaison is the child protection manager. For downstate DCFS offices, the DCFS liaison is the field service manager.
When a family applying for TANF identifies that they are currently working with DCFS:
- (FCRC) Ask the applicant for the name of their DCFS caseworker. Tell the applicant that DHS and DCFS will work together to coordinate services/activities and to ensure that required activities are reasonable.
- (FCRC) Notify the DCFS caseworker using the Referral Form (Form 2151). In the comments section, put the name of your Family Community Resource Center liaison as well as the statement "to confirm service currently provided by DCFS."
- (FCRC) Forward the Referral Form to the DCFS caseworker and provide a copy to your Family Community Resource Center liaison, so they are aware DCFS will contact them about a mutually served case.
- (DCFS) Calls the Family Community Resource Center liaison within 2 workdays of receipt of the Referral Form to discuss the status of DCFS involvement with the family.
- (FCRC Liaison) Link the DCFS worker to the DHS caseworker.
- (FCRC Liaison) Complete the bottom portion of the Referral Form based on the phone call from DCFS.
- (FCRC Liaison) Provide a copy to the DHS caseworker.
- (FCRC Worker) Immediately contact the DCFS caseworker to arrange a joint staffing to coordinate the RSP and the DCFS Service Plan.
- (FCRC Worker) Place the completed Referral Form in the applicant's case record.
When DCFS identifies a mutual client:
- (DCFS) Notifies the Family Community Resource Center liaison by sending the Referral Form.
- (FCRC Liaison) Refer the case to the appropriate DHS caseworker.
- (FCRC Worker) Call the DCFS caseworker no later than 2 workdays following receipt of the Referral Form to discuss the status of the applicant's case and to arrange a joint staffing to coordinate the RSP and the DCFS Service Plan.
- (FCRC Worker) Complete the bottom portion of the Referral Form.
- Retain a copy of the Referral Form for the applicant's case record.
- Provide a copy to the liaison in the DHS office.
Coordinating Service Plans - Staffings
(DCFS/FCRC) When scheduling a joint staffing, the DCFS and DHS caseworkers must attend. Invite and encourage the applicant to attend. Tell the applicant that their attendance and participation will aid in their success at meeting their objectives. The staffing is to proceed even if the applicant does not attend.
Invite any other workers or service providers (such as, TPS, substance abuse, mental health, domestic violence, work and training, etc.) that are working with the family to achieve the self-sufficiency goals.
During the staffing:
- (DCFS/FCRC) Determine activities required by DCFS to retain custody of the child(ren) such as attendance at specific classes, counseling sessions, administrative case reviews, etc. Consider these activities and include them along with activities leading to self-sufficiency when revising or developing an RSP.
- (DCFS/FCRC) Ensure that work-related activities and parental activities do not conflict. The coordinated plan must include how conflict will be resolved.
- (FCRC Worker) Don't schedule the applicant for times or activities which conflict with their DCFS obligations.
Example: An applicant may be participating in parenting classes from 9-12 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays through DCFS. Do not schedule any activities for those times.
- (FCRC Worker) Have the applicant sign the RSP, whether in attendance or not.
After the initial joint staffing, hold subsequent staffings when a family's situation changes. A staffing must occur anytime a family is in jeopardy of being sanctioned or having a child(ren) removed from the home.
Inform the DHS Family Community Resource Center liaison about all staffings and coordinated case planning activities with DCFS.
The Family Community Resource Center liaison with DCFS must:
- monitor the case to ensure that activities leading to a coordinated service plan are completed timely and appropriately;
- keep track of all DCFS/DHS coordinated activities; and
- resolve conflicts about the scheduling of meetings and disagreements between workers about the service plans.