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DCFS explores moving fictive-kin home studies earlier to speed placements
Summary
Director Misha Martin told the committee DCFS is exploring changes to the fictive-kin and relative home-study process after feedback that the standard practice (referral after training) causes attrition; Martin said home studies currently take five to six months and the department is considering earlier referral and potential law changes.
Sen. Stubblefield asked the director for more detail about fictive-kin cases and the timing of home studies. Director Misha Martin said when a community member (for example, a teacher) steps forward as a potential fictive kin, DCFS has an emergency process to place the child quickly and then gives the caregiver up to six months to complete the formal foster-home opening. Martin said the department typically does not refer the detailed home study until after training and that process causes some prospective caregivers to drop out.
Martin said the department has spoken with the senator's constituent, is already piloting earlier home-study referral in some partnership sites, and has asked a team to reexamine the process with the goal of moving home studies earlier in the flow to reduce attrition. She warned some changes may require law changes but said the department is looking at options and other states’ approaches to allow relatives and fictive kin to open more quickly.
Sen. Stubblefield described the financial burdens some prospective kin incur while waiting for a home study and urged moving the study to the front end when appropriate; Martin agreed and asked staff to brainstorm alternatives to shorten the process.
The transcript records the department's operational proposals and that staff were asked to return with potential process changes and legal implications.
