Illinois § 4

§ 4.

Project. There is established, subject to available appropriations, a 2 year demonstration project, known as the family support center demonstration project. The Department of Children and Family Services shall be responsible for the planning, implementation and establishment of a family support center. The project shall coordinate the provision of core services to families at a community-based center in order to develop the community's capacity to identify and resolve its problems. The center shall be responsive to the community and involve the participants as equal partners in program development and execution. The center shall offer an array of services tailored to the specific needs of its constituents. Services shall be developed pursuant to family support principles. Services must: (1) Be offered at convenient times in accessible locations. (2) Build on strengths, rather than search for deficits. (3) Involve participants and the community in planning and implementation. (4) Show respect for participants. (5) Serve the best interests of children. (6) Strengthen families. (7) Be presented in coordination with other agencies and services in the community. No single service shall overshadow the others, and services shall be provided in a coordinated manner. Because some services will be provided directly by the center and other services will be provided by other agencies, the center, with input from parent constituents, shall develop a service plan, using a systems management approach, for the provision of services. The staff of the center shall be responsible for ensuring that all components of the service plan are carried out. This may require interventions on the part of the staff, including but not limited to, accompanying parents to appointments with other agencies, advocating on behalf of parents, reminding parents of appointments with other agencies, and providing short-term counseling to parents concerning referrals for services. The center shall consider the following services, activities, and components when developing its core services: (a) Enhancement of parenting skills. (b) Infant and child stimulation activities to maximize child growth and development. (c) Outreach services targeted at community organizations, families, youth, and others to ensure community awareness, acceptance, and participation. (d) Health care, family planning, counseling, and other services to avoid unwanted pregnancies. (e) Assessment and treatment planning for developmental problems of the parent or the child. (f) Temporary developmental child care for the offspring of parents receiving services on-site. (g) Peer support activities, including recreational and social activities. (h) Educational services, such as post-high school classes and instruction to those attempting to earn general equivalency diplomas. (i) Job preparation and skill development services to assist young parents in preparing, securing, and maintaining employment. (Source: P.A. 87-678.)