SB2655 Summary

• Establishes a new Specialized Family Support Program to provide emergency services for 90 days to children under 18 with serious mental illness or emotional disturbance who are at risk of psychiatric lockout or custody relinquishment.

• Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to increase transitional bed capacity for residential treatment and develop a plan within 60 days to address shortages of appropriate placements for children with high behavioral health needs.

• Creates a new court hearing process allowing minors in DCFS custody to be returned to their parents if approved for Family Support Program services, with the Department of Healthcare and Family Services becoming fiscally responsible for services.

• Expands the permanency goal options in juvenile court proceedings to allow ongoing reunification services when a minor over age 15 has independence as the permanency goal, and permits continued foster care as a permanency goal under specific compelling circumstances.

• Authorizes Individual Care Grants to continue for minors in DCFS custody who have pending or active Family Support Program applications, and requires expedited review processes to prevent service disruptions.