HB 780

Abstract

Amends the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 20 ILCS 5/1-1 Adds reference to: 20 ILCS 105/8.13 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Illinois Act on the Aging. Requires the Department on Aging to establish and administer a Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Pilot Program to operate in Will County beginning January 1, 2024 through January 1, 2027. Provides that the pilot program shall allow the Senior Services Center of Will County to designate an intake coordinator for Will County who shall help connect grandparents raising grandchildren to relevant services and resources provided by the various State agencies, including, but not limited to, services and resources provided by the Department of Children and Family Services, the Department of Human Services, the Department on Aging, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, and the State Board of Education. Provides that the intake coordinator shall provide services at local Senior Services Centers located in Will County and shall work with the Department on Aging to create a public awareness campaign on the services and resources offered by each of the agencies. Provides that the intake coordinator must be knowledgeable in certain programs including, but not limited to, the Extended Family Support Program administered by the Department of Children and Family Services and the Child Only Grants assistance component of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program administered by the Department of Human Services. Provides that the intake coordinator must be given the contact information for the designated point of contact for each State agency listed in the amendatory Act. Provides that each State agency's designated point of contact shall provide educational materials and training on the different programs provided by the State agency. Provides that the intake coordinator may receive this information within 14 days after his or her selection by the Department on Aging. Provides that, by January 1 of each year beginning in 2025 until the pilot program terminates, the Department on Aging shall submit an annual report to the General Assembly on the number of families who received referrals to relevant services from the intake coordinator during the prior calendar year, the specific services each family was referred to and received, and other related information on the frequency of calls and visits to the office of the intake coordinator during the reporting period. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the engrossed bill, with the following changes: Makes the establishment and implementation of the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Pilot Program subject to appropriations. Provides that the program shall require (rather than allow) the Senior Services Center of Will County to designate a staff member as an intake coordinator for Will County (rather than designate an intake coordinator for Will County) who shall help connect grandparents raising grandchildren to existing relevant services (rather than relevant services). Requires the intake coordinator to maintain records regarding the number of families who received referrals, the specific services each family was referred to and received, and the frequency of calls and visits. Provides that the intake coordinator selected by the Senior Services Center of Will County (rather than by the Department on Aging) must be knowledgeable on certain State-operated programs. In a provision requiring the intake coordinator to be given the contact information for the designated point of contact for each State agency listed in the engrossed bill, provides that such information may be given within 14 days after the intake coordinator's selection by the Senior Services Center of Will County (rather than selection by the Department on Aging).