(105 ILCS 5/34-18.52)

Sec. 34-18.52. DCFS liaison.

(a) The board must appoint at least one employee to act as a liaison to facilitate the enrollment and transfer of records of students in the legal custody of the Department of Children and Family Services when enrolling in or changing schools. The board may appoint any employee of the school district who is licensed under Article 21B of this Code to act as a liaison; however, employees who meet any of the following criteria must be prioritized for appointment:

(1) Employees who have worked with mobile student populations or students in foster care.

(2) Employees who are familiar with enrollment, record transfers, existing community services, and student support services.

(3) Employees who serve as a high-level administrator.

(4) Employees who are counselors or have experience with student counseling.

(5) Employees who are knowledgeable on child welfare policies.

(6) Employees who serve as a school social worker.

(b) Liaisons under this Section are encouraged to build capacity and infrastructure within the school district to support students in the legal custody of the Department of Children and Family Services. Liaison responsibilities may include the following:

(1) streamlining the enrollment processes for students in foster care;

(2) implementing student data tracking and monitoring mechanisms;

(3) ensuring that students in the legal custody of the Department of Children and Family Services receive all school nutrition and meal programs available;

(4) coordinating student withdrawal from a school, record transfers, and credit recovery;

(5) becoming experts on the foster care system and State laws and policies in place that support children under the legal custody of the Department of Children and Family Services;

(6) coordinating with child welfare partners;

(7) providing foster care-related information and training to the school district;

(8) working with the Department of Children and Family Services to help students maintain their school placement, if appropriate;

(9) reviewing student schedules to ensure that students are on track to graduate;

(10) encouraging a successful transition into adulthood and post-secondary opportunities;

(11) encouraging involvement in extracurricular activities; and

(12) knowing what support is available within the school district and community for students in the legal custody of the Department of Children and Family Services.

(c) The school district is required to designate a liaison by the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year.

(d) Individuals licensed under Article 21B of this Code acting as a liaison under this Section shall perform the duties of a liaison in addition to existing contractual obligations.

(Source: P.A. 102-199, eff. 7-1-22.)