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Department of Children and Family Services (Safety First / Safety Always)

Coronavirus or COVID-19

Communications to DCFS and Private Agency Staff

Action Transmittal 2022.01 – Updated COVID Guidance Replaces AT 2021.05 (2/15/22)

Action Transmittal 2021.04 Update – Procedures 302, Appendix M – Transition Planning for Adolescents (July 15, 2021)

Action Transmittal 2021.03 – Expansion of the DCFS Education and Training Voucher Program to Support Eligible Youth Through the COVID-19 Pandemic

Action Transmittal 2021.02 – Expansion of DCFS Employment/Job Training/Apprenticeship Incentive Program to Support Eligible Youth Through the COVID-19 Pandemic

Action Transmittal 2020.14 – Child Welfare Staffing Needs During COVID-19 Crisis

Pre-visit Checklist (6/12/20)

Preparing Substitute Caregivers for In-Person Visits (6/12/20)

Preparing Parents for In-Person Visits (6/12/20)

Preparing Children and Youth for In-Person Visits (6/12/20)

COVID-19 Out of State Travel For Youth in Care (7/6/21)

COVID-19 Testing Site Update for DCFS Staff and POS Staff (6/1/20)

COVID-19 Court-Ordered Visitation Memo (5/21/20)

Guidelines for COVID-19 Exposed/Confirmed Youth (5/15/20)

COVID-19 In-Person Visit Guide - Child Protection (5/21/20)

COVID-19 In-Person Visit Guide - Intact/Placement/Permanency (5/21/20)

Using a Respirator Mask (N96 or KN95) versus a Simple Medical (Procedure) Mask (5/8/20)

Face Covering Do's and Dont's

How to Properly Put on and Take off a Disposable Respirator

COVID-19 Proper Glove Use

COVID-19 Youth Data Collection Form (completed by DCFS Guardian's Office) (4/7/20)

Memo - DCFS Notification of Youth in Care Exposed/Symptomatic/Confirmed to have COVID-19 (4/7/20)

Memo to advisory groups and councils: COVID-19 and the Open Meetings Act (3/31/20)

Message from Acting Director Smith to DCFS and Private Agency Staff regarding COVID-19 and Modifications to In-person Contact Requirements (3/20/20)

Message from DCFS Acting Director Smith to DCFS and Private Agency Staff (3/20/20)

COVID-19 (Division) Preparation Plan and Emergency Contact List (3/18/20)

Biometric Impressions statewide offices and mobile services will remain operating daily as normal. Please use the zip code searchable schedule at www.biometricimpressions.com or call 630-532-5922 for locations/hours.

Messages to Providers

COVID-19 Letter to Educators (5/15/20)

COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions for Purchase of Service Agencies (5/7/20)

COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions for Purchase of Service Agencies (4/20/20)

COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions for Purchase of Service Agencies (4/13/20)

Letter to Educators Regarding Mandated Reporter Status (4/9/20)

Providing Telehealth Services During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (4/6/20)

Message to POS Leadership Summarizing Recent Changes (4/5/20)

COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions for Purchase of Service Agencies (4/4/20)

Informed Consent of Guardian for Telehealth Services (4/3/20)

Letter to Providers of Mental/Behavioral Health Services re: Consent for Telehealth (4/3/20)

DCFS Monitoring COVID-19 Letter to Congregate Care Facilities: Agency Plan and Fidelity Review (4/1/20)

DCFS Monitoring COVID-19 Daily Report (3/30/20)

DCFS Monitoring COVID-19 Memo to POS/Residential ILO/TLP (3/30/20)

Message to POS Leadership Summarizing Recent Changes (3/29/20)

COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions for Purchase of Service Agencies (3/27/20)

How is DCFS supporting private agencies who have diminished or suspended non-essential services? (3/20/20)

COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions for Purchase of Service Agencies (3/20/20)

Letter to Early Childhood Care and Education Program Administrators (3/13/20)

Letter to Non-contracted Child Care Institutions, Group Homes and Child Welfare Agencies (3/12/20)

Letter to Child Care Institutions, Group Homes and Child Welfare Agencies (3/10/20)

DCFS Guidance to Private Agencies (3/15/20)

Messages to DCFS Staff

Updated Interim Guidance for State Agencies Responding to COVID-19 (4/29/20)

COVID-19 Decision Tree for non 24/7 Facilities (4/29/20)

IDPH COVID Guidance for State Agencies Regarding Facial Covering (4/29/20)

Families First Coronavirus Response Act Employee Rights Poster

Families First Coronavirus Response Act and How it Applies to You

Guidance for Assisting Pregnant Youth in Care (3/20/20)

COVID-19 guidance from Medical Director Margaret Scotellaro regarding staying home from work (3/18/20)

COVID-19 Employer Guidance (3/13/20)

IDPH Social Distancing Flyer

Messages to Families Served by DCFS

Information Transmittal 2021.12 – Expiration of Extended Services to Older Youth (September 24, 2021)

Letter to Caregivers: Update to Visitation Practices During COVID-19 (6/19/20)

Update to Visitation Practices During COVID-19 (6-18-20)

Letter to foster parents regarding visitation due to COVID-19 (5/21/20)

Letter to Caregivers: Caring for Youth with Asthma During the COVID-19 Outbreak (5/13/20)

Letter to caregivers: Pediatric Inflammatory Multisystem Syndrome (PIMS): A Rare Emerging Condition Linked to COVID-19 (5/15/20)

Telephone Assistance Programs (5/8/20)

Memo regarding board payment increase (04/09/20)

Letter to Post-Adopt and Guardianship Families (4/9/20)

Letter to birth parents regarding changes in visitation due to COVID-19 (3/31/20)

Letter to foster parents regarding changes to visitation due to COVID-19 (3/27/20)

Letter to foster parents (3/12/20)

Messages to Day Care Providers

The Governor has required the temporary closure of all care facilities. However, the Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development (GOECD), in partnership with the Illinois Departments of Human Services (IDHS) and Children and Family Services (IDCFS), has established a structure and system for child care providers to apply for an emergency child care license to provide care for essential workers. For families seeking information about child care closures and emergency child care, please see this letter.

For more information on helping parents find care, please call the Illinois Network of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (INCCRRA) at 877-202-4453 and enter your zip code to find contact information for your local child care resource and referral agency or visit www.inccrra.org/about/sdasearch.

Updated guidance regarding masking requirements in day care settings (2/28/22)

COVID-19: Frequently Asked Questions Following the Mandatory Closure of All Child Care Centers and Homes

COVID-19 Attendance Exemption Form

DCFS Day Care Temporary Attendance Exemption Policy (3/20/20)

DCFS Payment Memo for Child Care Providers (3/20/20)

CFS 597 Application for Child Care Facility License

Policy Transmittal 2020.02

Rule 407 Emergency, 6-24-2020

Governor JB Pritzker's Executive Order in Response to COVID-19 (3/20/20)

COVID-19: Information and Support for Home-Based Child Care Providers (3/17/20)

COVID-19: Frequently Asked Questions (3/15/20)

Guidance for Child Care Centers and Early Education Programs (3/15/20)