(20 ILCS 1305/Art. 10 heading)
(20 ILCS 1305/10-5)
Sec. 10-5.
Infant mortality reduction; special population groups.
The Department shall include within its
infant mortality reduction programs and materials information directed
toward Hispanics, people of African descent, and other population groups
residing in areas which experience high rates of infant mortality. The
information shall inform these groups about the causes of infant mortality
and the steps which may be taken to reduce the risk of early infant death.
(Source: P.A. 89-507, eff. 7-1-97.)
(20 ILCS 1305/10-6)
Sec. 10-6. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 96-627, eff. 8-24-09. Repealed by P.A. 102-278, eff. 8-6-21.)
(20 ILCS 1305/10-7)
Sec. 10-7.
Postpartum depression.
(a) The Department shall develop and distribute a brochure or other
information
about the signs, symptoms, screening or detection techniques, and care for
postpartum
depression, including but not limited to methods for patients and family
members to
better understand the nature and causes of postpartum depression in order to
lower the
likelihood that new mothers will continue to suffer from this illness. This
brochure shall
be developed in conjunction with the Illinois State Medical Society, the
Illinois Society
for Advanced Practice Nursing, and any other appropriate statewide organization
of
licensed professionals.
(b) The brochure required under subsection (a) of this Section shall be
distributed,
at a minimum, to physicians licensed to practice medicine in all its branches,
certified
nurse midwives, and other health care professionals who provide care to
pregnant women
in the hospital, office, or clinic.
(c) The Secretary may contract with a statewide organization of physicians
licensed to practice medicine in all its branches for the purposes of this
Section.
(Source: P.A. 92-649, eff. 1-1-03.)
(20 ILCS 1305/10-8)
Sec. 10-8. The Autism Research Checkoff Fund; grants; scientific review committee. The Autism Research Checkoff Fund is created as a special fund in the State treasury. From appropriations to the Department from the Fund, the Department must make grants to public or private entities in Illinois for the purpose of funding research concerning the disorder of autism. For purposes of this Section, the term "research" includes, without limitation, expenditures to develop and advance the understanding, techniques, and modalities effective in the detection, prevention, screening, and treatment of autism and may include clinical trials. No more than 20% of the grant funds may be used for institutional overhead costs, indirect costs, other organizational levies, or costs of community-based support services.
Moneys received for the purposes of this Section, including, without limitation, income tax checkoff receipts and gifts, grants, and awards from any public or private entity, must be deposited into the Fund. Any interest earned on moneys in the Fund must be deposited into the Fund.
Each year, grantees of the grants provided under this Section must submit a written report to the Department that sets forth the types of research that is conducted with the grant moneys and the status of that research.
The Department shall promulgate rules for the creation of a scientific review committee to review and assess applications for the grants authorized under this Section. The Committee shall serve without compensation.
(Source: P.A. 98-463, eff. 8-16-13.)
(20 ILCS 1305/10-9)
Sec. 10-9. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 95-331, eff. 8-21-07. Repealed by P.A. 96-1406, eff. 7-29-10.)
(20 ILCS 1305/10-10)
Sec. 10-10. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 95-998, eff. 6-1-09. Repealed by P.A. 96-1406, eff. 7-29-10.)
(20 ILCS 1305/10-12)
Sec. 10-12. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 90-171, eff. 7-23-97. Repealed by P.A. 96-1406, eff. 7-29-10.)
(20 ILCS 1305/10-15)
Sec. 10-15. Pregnant women with a substance use disorder. The Department shall develop
guidelines for use in non-hospital residential care facilities for pregnant women who have a substance use disorder with respect to the care of those clients.
The Department shall administer infant mortality and prenatal
programs, through its provider agencies, to develop special programs for
case finding and service coordination for pregnant women who have a substance use disorder.
The Department shall ensure access to substance use disorder services statewide for pregnant and postpartum women, and ensure that programs are gender-responsive, are trauma-informed, serve women and young children, and prioritize justice-involved pregnant and postpartum women.
(Source: P.A. 100-759, eff. 1-1-19; 101-447, eff. 8-23-19.)
(20 ILCS 1305/10-20)
Sec. 10-20. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 89-507, eff. 7-1-97. Repealed by P.A. 102-1071, eff. 6-10-22.)
(20 ILCS 1305/10-22)
Sec. 10-22. Great START program.
(a) The Department of
Human Services shall,
subject to a specific appropriation for
this purpose, operate a Great START (Strategy To Attract and Retain
Teachers) program. The goal of the program is
to improve children's developmental and educational outcomes in child care by
encouraging
increased professional preparation by staff and
staff retention. The Great START program shall coordinate with the TEACH
professional development program.
The program shall provide wage supplements and may include other incentives
to licensed child care center
personnel, including early childhood
teachers, school-age workers, early childhood assistants, school-age
assistants, and directors, as such positions are defined by
administrative rule of the Department of Children and Family Services. The
program shall provide wage supplements and may include other incentives to
licensed family day care home personnel and licensed group day care home
personnel,
including caregivers and assistants as such positions are
defined by administrative rule of the Department of Children and Family
Services. Individuals will receive supplements
commensurate with their qualifications.
(b) (Blank).
(c) The Department shall, by rule, define the scope and operation of the
program, including a wage supplement scale. The
scale shall pay increasing amounts for
higher levels of educational attainment beyond minimum qualifications and shall
recognize longevity of employment.
Subject to the availability of sufficient appropriation, the wage supplements
shall be paid to child care personnel in the form of
bonuses at 6 month intervals. Six months of
continuous service with a single employer is required to be eligible to receive
a wage supplement bonus. Wage
supplements shall be paid directly to individual day care personnel, not to
their employers. Eligible individuals must
provide to the Department or its agent all information and documentation,
including but not limited to college transcripts, to
demonstrate their qualifications for a particular
wage supplement level.
If appropriations permit, the Department may include one-time signing bonuses
or other incentives to help providers attract staff,
provided that the signing bonuses are less than the supplement staff would have
received if they had remained employed
with another day care center or family day care home.
If appropriations permit, the Department may include one-time longevity
bonuses or other incentives to recognize staff who have
remained with a single employer.
(d) (Blank).
(Source: P.A. 93-711, eff. 7-12-04.)
(20 ILCS 1305/10-23)
Sec. 10-23. High-risk pregnant or postpartum individuals. The Department shall expand and update its maternal child health programs to serve pregnant and postpartum individuals determined to be high-risk using criteria established by a multi-agency working group. The services shall be provided by registered nurses, licensed social workers, or other staff with behavioral health or medical training, as approved by the Department. The persons providing the services may collaborate with other providers, including, but not limited to, obstetricians, gynecologists, or pediatricians, when providing services to a patient.
(Source: P.A. 102-665, eff. 10-8-21.)
(20 ILCS 1305/10-25)
Sec. 10-25. Women, Infants, and Children Nutrition Program.
(a) The Department shall
participate in the Women, Infants and Children Nutrition program of the
federal government to the maximum extent permitted by the federal
appropriation and allocation to the State of Illinois. In order to efficiently process electronically issued WIC benefits, the Department may use an account held outside of the state treasury for the deposit and issuance of WIC benefits. The Department
shall report quarterly to the Governor and the General
Assembly the status of obligations and expenditures of the WIC nutrition
program appropriation and make recommendations on actions necessary to
expend all available federal funds. Other appropriations and funds from
any public or private source in addition to federal funds may be used by
the Department for the purpose of maximum participation in
the WIC nutrition program.
(b) The Department shall maintain a drug abuse education program for
participants in the Women, Infants and Children Nutrition Program.
The program shall include but need not be limited to (1) the
provision of information concerning the dangers of drug abuse and (2) the
referral of participants who are suspected drug abusers to drug abuse
clinics, treatment programs, counselors or other drug abuse treatment
providers.
(c) The Department shall cooperate with the Department of Public Health for
purposes of the smoking cessation program for participants in the Women,
Infants and Children Nutrition Program maintained by the Department of Public
Health under Section 2310-435 of the Department of Public
Health
Powers and Duties Law (20 ILCS 2310/2310-435).
(d) The Department may contract with any bank as defined by the Illinois
Banking Act to redeem bank drafts issued by the Department under the United
States Department of Agriculture Special Supplemental Food Program for
Women, Infants and Children (WIC). Any bank with which the Department has
entered into a contract to redeem bank drafts may receive, pursuant to an
appropriation to the Department, an initial advance and periodic payment of
funds for the Women, Infants and Children Program in amounts determined by
the Secretary. Notwithstanding any other law, such funds shall be retained
in a separate account by the bank. Any interest earned by monies in such
account shall accrue to the USDA Women, Infants and Children Fund and shall
be used exclusively for the redemption of bank drafts issued by the
Department. WIC program food funds received by the bank from the
Department shall be used exclusively for the redemption of bank drafts. The
bank shall not use such food funds, or interest accrued thereon, for any
other purpose including, but not limited to, reimbursement of
administrative expenses or payments of administrative fees due the bank
pursuant to its contract or contracts with the Department.
Such initial and periodic payments by the Department to the bank shall be
effected, pursuant to an appropriation, in an amount needed for the
redemption of bank drafts issued by the Department under the United States
Department of Agriculture Special Supplemental Food Program for Women,
Infants and Children in any initial or succeeding period. The State
Comptroller shall, upon presentation by the Secretary of adequate
certification of funds needed for redemption of bank drafts, promptly draw
a warrant payable to the bank for deposit to the separate account of the
bank. Such certification may be in magnetic tape or computer output form,
indicating the amount of the total payment made by the bank for the
redemption of bank drafts from funds provided to the bank under this Section.
The separate account of the bank established under this Section, any
payments to that account, and the use of such account and funds shall be
subject to (1) audit by the Department or a private contractor authorized by
the Department to conduct audits, including but not limited to
such audits as may be required by State law, (2) audit by the federal
government or a private contractor authorized by the federal government, and
(3) post audit pursuant to the Illinois State Auditing Act.
(e) The Department may include a program of lactation support services
as part of the benefits and services provided for pregnant and breast feeding
participants in the Women,
Infants and Children Nutrition Program. The program may include payment for
breast pumps, breast shields, or any supply deemed essential for the successful
maintenance of lactation, as well as lactation specialists who are registered
nurses, licensed
dietitians, or persons who have successfully completed a lactation
management training program.
(f) The Department shall coordinate the operation of the Women, Infants and
Children program with the Medicaid program by interagency agreement whereby
each program provides information about the services offered by the other to
applicants for services.
(Source: P.A. 101-636, eff. 6-10-20.)
(20 ILCS 1305/10-26)
Sec. 10-26. The PUNS database.
(a) The Department of Human Services shall compile and maintain a database of Illinois residents with an intellectual disability or a developmental disability, including an autism spectrum disorder, and Illinois residents with an intellectual disability or a developmental disability who are also diagnosed with a physical disability or mental illness and are in need of developmental disability services funded by the Department. The database shall be referred to as the Prioritization of Urgency of Need
for Services (PUNS) and shall include, but not be limited to, children and youth, individuals transitioning from special education to post-secondary activities, individuals living at home or in the community, individuals in private nursing and residential facilities, and individuals in intermediate care facilities for persons with developmental disabilities. Individuals who are receiving services under any home and community-based services waiver program authorized under Section 1915(c) of the Social Security Act may remain on the PUNS database until they are offered services through a PUNS selection or demonstrate the need for and are awarded alternative services.
(b) The PUNS database shall be used to foster a fair and orderly process for processing applications for developmental disabilities services funded by the Department, verifying information, keeping individuals and families who have applied for services informed of available services and anticipated wait times, determining unmet need, and informing the General Assembly and the Governor of unmet need statewide and within each representative district.
(c) Independent service coordination agencies shall be the points of entry for individuals and families applying for developmental disability services funded by the Department. The information collected and maintained for PUNS shall include, but is not limited to, the following: (i) the types of services of which the individual is potentially in need; (ii) demographic and identifying information about the individual; (iii) factors indicating need, including diagnoses, assessment information, ages of primary caregivers, and current living situation; (iv) the date information about the individual is submitted for inclusion in PUNS, and the types of services sought by the individual; and (v) the representative district in which the individual resides. In collecting and maintaining information under this Section, the Department shall give consideration to cost-effective appropriate services for individuals.
(d) The Department shall respond to inquiries about anticipated PUNS selection dates and make available a Department e-mail address for such inquiries. Subject to appropriation, the Department shall offer a web-based verification and information-update application. The Department shall make all reasonable efforts to contact individuals on the PUNS database at least 2 times each year and provide information about the PUNS process, information regarding services that may be available to them prior to the time they are selected from PUNS, and advice on preparing for and seeking developmental disability services. At least one of the contacts must be from an independent service coordination agency. The Department may contact individuals on the PUNS database through a newsletter prepared by the Division of Developmental Disabilities. The Department shall provide information about PUNS to the general public on its website.
(e) This amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly does not create any new entitlement to a service, program, or benefit but shall not affect any entitlement to a service, program, or benefit created by any other law. Except for a service, program, or benefit that is an entitlement, a service, program, or benefit provided as a result of the collection and maintenance of PUNS shall be subject to appropriations made by the General Assembly.
(f) The Department, consistent with applicable federal and State law, shall make general information about PUNS available to the public such as: (i) the number of individuals potentially in need of each type of service, program, or benefit; and (ii) the general characteristics of those individuals. The Department shall protect the confidentiality of each individual in PUNS when releasing database information by not disclosing any personally identifying information.
(g) The Department shall allow an individual who is:
(Source: P.A. 101-284, eff. 8-9-19.)
(20 ILCS 1305/10-27)
Sec. 10-27. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 96-78, eff. 7-24-09. Repealed by P.A. 99-209, eff. 7-30-15.)
(20 ILCS 1305/10-30)
Sec. 10-30. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 92-722, eff. 8-6-02. Repealed by P.A. 99-933, eff. 1-27-17.)
(20 ILCS 1305/10-32)
Sec. 10-32. Task Force on the Condition of African American Men in Illinois.
(a) The General Assembly finds and declares that African American men: (1) are disproportionately less likely to complete high school and to obtain a post-secondary education; (2) are more likely to be incarcerated or on parole; (3) are more likely to have lower lifetime economic earnings; (4) are more likely to have been a part of the child welfare population; (5) are more likely to have a shorter life expectancy; and (6) are more likely to have health problems, such as HIV/AIDS, drug dependency, heart disease, obesity, and diabetes. The General Assembly further finds and declares that the State of Illinois has a compelling interest in determining the causes of these problems and in developing appropriate remedies.
(b) The Task Force on the Condition of African American Men in Illinois is created within the Department of Human Services. Within 60 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 95th General Assembly, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Minority Leader of the Senate, and the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives shall each appoint 2 members to the Task Force. In addition, the Director or Secretary of each of the following, or his or her designee, are members: the Department of Human Services, the Department of Corrections, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the Department of Children and Family Services, the Department of Human Rights, the Illinois State Board of Education, the Illinois Board of Higher Education, and the Illinois Community College Board. Members shall not receive compensation, but shall be reimbursed for their necessary expenses from appropriations made for that purpose. The Department of Human Services shall provide staff and other assistance to the Task Force.
(c) The purposes of the Task Force are as follows: to determine the causal factors for the condition of African American men; to inventory State programs and initiatives that serve to improve the condition of African American men; to identify gaps in services to African American men; and to develop strategies to reduce duplication of services and to maximize coordination between State agencies, providers, and educational institutions, including developing benchmarks to measure progress.
(d) The Task Force shall report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly by December 31, 2008.
(Source: P.A. 95-62, eff. 8-13-07.)
(20 ILCS 1305/10-33)
Sec. 10-33. Sexual assault education program.
(a) The Department shall conduct a comprehensive study of the needs of women with disabilities who reside in the community as well as structured living environments regarding sexual assault and the threat of sexual violence. The study must include a needs assessment during the first year that gathers input from women with disabilities, service providers, and advocacy organizations. This study must inform the development and implementation of educational programs for women with disabilities, including distribution of information materials during the first year. These materials must include information on indications of possible occurrences of sexual assault, the rights of sexual-assault victims, and any public or private victim-assistance programs and resources available, including resources available through the Office of the Attorney General.
(b) The Department shall seek to attain any federal grants or other funding that may be available for the purpose of this Section.
(c) The Department shall adopt any rule necessary for the implementation and administration of the program under this Section.
(Source: P.A. 95-489, eff. 6-1-08.)
(20 ILCS 1305/10-34)
Sec. 10-34. Public awareness of the national hotline number. The Department of Human Services shall cooperate with the Department of Transportation to promote public awareness regarding the national human trafficking hotline. This includes, but is not limited to, displaying public awareness signs in high risk areas, such as, but not limited to, truck stops, bus stations, train stations, airports, and rest stops.
(Source: P.A. 99-105, eff. 1-1-16; 99-350, eff. 1-1-16.)
(20 ILCS 1305/10-35)
Sec. 10-35. Folic acid; public information campaign. The Department, in
consultation with the Department of Public Health,
shall
conduct a public information campaign to (i) educate women about the benefits
of
consuming folic acid before and during pregnancy to improve their chances of
having a
healthy baby and (ii) increase the consumption of folic acid by women of
child-bearing
age. The campaign must include information about the sources of folic
acid.
(Source: P.A. 95-331, eff. 8-21-07.)
(20 ILCS 1305/10-40)
Sec. 10-40. Recreational programs; persons with disabilities; grants. The
Department of
Human Services, subject to appropriation,
may
make grants to special recreation associations for the operation of
recreational programs for
persons with disabilities, including both persons with physical disabilities and persons with mental disabilities, and
transportation to
and from those programs. The grants should target unserved or underserved
populations,
such as persons with brain injuries, persons who are medically fragile, and
adults who
have acquired disabling conditions. The Department must adopt rules to
implement the
grant program.
(Source: P.A. 99-143, eff. 7-27-15.)
(20 ILCS 1305/10-45)
Sec. 10-45. Hispanic/Latino Teen Pregnancy Prevention and
Intervention
Initiative.
(a) The Department is authorized to establish a Hispanic/Latino Teen
Pregnancy Prevention and
Intervention Initiative program.
(b) As a part of the program established under subsection (a), the
Department is authorized to
award a grant to a qualified entity for the purpose of conducting
research, education,
and prevention activities to reduce pregnancy among Hispanic
teenagers.
(Source: P.A. 95-331, eff. 8-21-07.)
(20 ILCS 1305/10-47)
Sec. 10-47. Teen Responsibility, Education, Achievement, Caring, and Hope (Teen REACH) Grant Program.
(a) It is the purpose and intent of this Section to establish a State grant program to support local communities in providing after-school opportunities for youth 6 to 17 years of age that will improve their likelihood for future success, provide positive choices, reduce at-risk behaviors, and develop career goals.
(b) Subject to appropriation, the Department shall award competitive grants under a Teen Responsibility, Education, Achievement, Caring, and Hope (Teen REACH) Grant Program to community-based agencies in accordance with this Section and other rules and regulations that may be adopted by the Department.
(c) Successful grantees under the Teen REACH Grant Program shall plan and implement activities that address outcomes associated with 6 core services:
(d) Successful grantees under the Teen REACH Grant Program shall be in compliance with policies and procedures on program, data, and expense reporting as developed by the Department, in consultation with the Governor's Office of Management and Budget.
(e) The Department may adopt any rules necessary to implement this Section.
(Source: P.A. 99-700, eff. 1-1-17.)
(20 ILCS 1305/10-50)
Sec. 10-50. Illinois Steps for Attaining Higher Education through Academic Development Program established. The Illinois Steps for Attaining Higher Education through Academic Development ("Illinois Steps AHEAD") program is established in the Illinois Department of Human Services. Illinois Steps AHEAD shall provide educational services and post-secondary educational scholarships for low-income middle and high school students. Program components shall include increased parent involvement, creative and engaging academic support for students, career exploration programs, college preparation, and increased collaboration with local schools. The Illinois Department of Human Services shall administer the program. The Department shall implement the program only if federal funding is made available for that purpose. All moneys received pursuant to the federal Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs shall be deposited into the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs Fund, a special fund hereby created in the State treasury. Moneys in this fund shall be appropriated to the Department of Human Services and expended for the purposes and activities specified by the federal agency making the grant. All interest earnings on amounts in the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs Fund shall accrue to the Gaining Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs Fund and be used in accordance with 34 C.F.R. 75.703.
(Source: P.A. 94-1043, eff. 7-24-06.)
(20 ILCS 1305/10-55)
Sec. 10-55. Report; children with developmental disabilities, severe mental illness, or severe emotional disorders. On or before March 1, 2008, the Department shall submit a report to the Governor and to the General Assembly regarding the extent to which children (i) with developmental disabilities, mental illness, severe emotional disorders, or more than one of these disabilities, and (ii) who are currently being provided services in an institution, could otherwise be served in a less-restrictive community or home-based setting for the same cost or for a lower cost. The Department shall submit bi-annual updated reports to the Governor and the General Assembly no later than March 1 of every even-numbered year beginning in 2010.
(Source: P.A. 95-622, eff. 9-17-07.)
(20 ILCS 1305/10-60)
Sec. 10-60. Mental health awareness in minority communities. The Department shall include mental health awareness, education, and outreach materials within its public health promotion programs and information to be directed toward minority population groups in Illinois. This information shall inform members of minority communities about mental illness, the types of services and supports available, and how treatment may be obtained. The Department shall collaborate with community-based mental health agencies in the delivery of the information to community leaders and other interested parties in minority communities.
(Source: P.A. 95-998, eff. 6-1-09.)
(20 ILCS 1305/10-63)
Sec. 10-63. Call4Calm text line. Subject to appropriation, the Department of Human Services shall permanently establish the Call4Calm text line to support Illinois residents' mental health needs. An Illinois resident shall be able to utilize the Call4Calm text line if the resident or someone the resident knows is struggling with stress and needs emotional support. This service shall be free of charge and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Callers seeking assistance shall remain anonymous and shall be linked to a mental health provider that is responsible for the provision of mental health services in the caller's geographic area.
(Source: P.A. 102-206, eff. 7-30-21.)
(20 ILCS 1305/10-65)
Sec. 10-65. Hunger Relief Fund; grants.
(a) The Hunger Relief Fund is created as a special fund in the State treasury. From appropriations to the Department from the Fund, the Department shall make grants to food banks for the purpose of purchasing food and related supplies. In this Section, "food bank" means a public or charitable institution that maintains an established operation involving the provision of food or edible commodities, or the products of food or edible commodities, to food pantries, soup kitchens, hunger relief centers, or other food or feeding centers that, as an integral part of their normal activities, provide meals or food to feed needy persons on a regular basis.
(b) Moneys received for the purposes of this Section, including, without limitation, appropriations, gifts, donations, grants, and awards from any public or private entity must be deposited into the Fund. Any interest earned on moneys in the Fund must be deposited into the Fund.
(Source: P.A. 96-604, eff. 8-24-09; 97-333, eff. 8-12-11.)
(20 ILCS 1305/10-66)
Sec. 10-66. Rate reductions. Rates for medical services purchased by the Divisions of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery, Community Health and Prevention, Developmental Disabilities, Mental Health, or Rehabilitation Services within the Department of Human Services shall not be reduced below the rates calculated on April 1, 2011 unless the Department of Human Services promulgates rules and rules are implemented authorizing rate reductions.
(Source: P.A. 99-78, eff. 7-20-15; 100-759, eff. 1-1-19.)
(20 ILCS 1305/10-67)
Sec. 10-67. Rights and resources for immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers; public information campaign.
(a) The Department of Human Services, in consultation with the Department on Aging, the Department of Children and Family Services, the Department of Employment Security, and the Department of Public Health, shall conduct a public information campaign to educate immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and other noncitizens residing in Illinois of their rights under the U.S. Constitution and Illinois laws that apply regardless of immigration status. The public information campaign must include resources and contact information for organizations that can aid residents in protecting and enforcing these rights.
(b) The Department of Human Services, in consultation with the Department of Transportation and other agencies, when necessary, shall post resources and other information regarding immigrant, refugee, and asylum seekers' rights in high-traffic public areas, including, but not limited to, train stations, airports, and highway rest stops.
(c) The Department of Human Services may adopt rules or joint rules with other agencies to implement the requirements of this Section.
(Source: P.A. 102-408, eff. 1-1-22.)
(20 ILCS 1305/10-70)
Sec. 10-70. Gateways to Opportunity.
(a) Subject to the availability of funds, the Department of Human Services shall operate a Gateways to Opportunity program, a comprehensive professional development system. The goal of Gateways to Opportunity is to support a diverse, stable, and quality workforce for settings serving children and youth, specifically to:
(b) The Department shall award Gateways to Opportunity credentials to early care and education, school-age, and youth development practitioners. The credentials shall validate an individual's qualifications and shall be issued based on a variety of professional achievements in field experience, knowledge and skills, educational attainment, and training accomplishments. The Department shall adopt rules outlining the framework for awarding credentials.
(c) The Gateways to Opportunity program shall identify professional knowledge guidelines for practitioners serving children and youth. The professional knowledge guidelines shall define what all adults who work with children and youth need to know, understand, and be able to demonstrate to support children's and youth's development, school readiness, and school success. The Department shall adopt rules to identify content areas, alignment with other professional standards, and competency levels.
(Source: P.A. 96-864, eff. 1-21-10; 97-333, eff. 8-12-11.)