a) Notification of Follow-Up Caseworkers by Investigative Staff
When an abuse or neglect report involving a Department ward in a licensed child care facility is received, the investigative worker shall orally notify the service worker (or supervisor) for the family within two hours after seeing the child. For after hours cases, this notification shall occur no later than 10:00 a.m. the next business day after seeing the child.
b) Notification of Parents by Child Welfare Staff
Department Supervised Cases
The children's caseworker(s) (or supervisor(s)) shall attempt to orally notify, either in-person or via telephone, the parent(s) of the involved child(ren) about the report immediately upon learning that a report has been made. If the parent(s) cannot be located after at least two telephone or in-person attempts, the caseworker shall ensure that a certified letter is sent to the parent(s) that same day, simply asking the parents to contact the caseworker or supervisor to discuss their child. Such notice shall be sent to the last known address for the parent(s).
Proper notification to parents who are hearing impaired is through the use of an interpreter for face to face contact, or through the use of a TDD device by phone or other auxiliary aids or through the use of the Illinois Relay Center. Notification to parents who are limited/non-English speaking shall be either through a bilingual (Spanish/English) worker or an interpreter who speaks their language.
Purchase of Service Cases
When primary supervision of the case is provided through a purchase of service provider, the purchase of service worker(s) (or supervisor(s)) will complete the notifications in the same manner as required above for Department supervised cases.
Special Circumstances
If the child is seriously injured, has died or is at risk of imminent death, the investigator (after hours, week-ends, and holidays) or the follow-up or purchase of service worker (regular business hours) shall make repeated, persistent attempts to locate and notify the parent(s) immediately. This includes calling their home(s), work place(s), school, known close contacts and if there is no phone available, going to these respective places in an attempt to locate the parent(s).
c) Notification of Parents by Investigative Staff
Report Initiated After Hours Preceding A Weekend or Holiday
If a report is initiated after hours and the next calendar day is a weekend or holiday and, therefore, not a regular business day, the investigator shall make a good faith attempt to notify the parent(s) of the report and pending investigation. If the investigator is unable to obtain the name, address, andphone number of the children's parent(s) from the foster parents, the child, or other local sources, the investigator shall call the State Central Register and request a check of the CYCIS records in an attempt to secure their correct address(es) and phone number(s). The investigator shall then proceed with notification using the process outlined for "Department Supervised Cases" in paragraph (2) above.
Unable to Reach Follow-Up Worker or Supervisor
In rare instances, the investigator may be unable to reach the involved child's worker or supervisor within two hours after seeing the children or by 10:00 a.m. the next business day. If the investigator has been unable to contact the involved children's worker(s) or supervisor(s) within the specified time frames, despite designating the call as a priority, the investigator shall notify the children's parent(s) directly, using the process outlined in paragraph (b) above. The investigator shall send a copy of the CANTS 17A and the certified letter (if any) to the children's follow-up caseworker(s) and case managers.
d) Content of Required Contacts
When speaking with the parents, the investigator or worker shall inform them that an investigation is being conducted which may or may not be "indicated". The parent(s) shall also be informed that written notice of the final investigative finding will be provided upon completion of the investigation. Notice of the final investigative finding shall be provided in accordance with Procedures 300.130, Notices Whether Child Abuse or Neglect Occurred, item (d).
e) Documentation of Required Notification
The investigator, the follow-up worker, and the purchase of service worker (if any) shall document all attempts to reach the persons specified above. This documentation shall include the dates and times of all attempted phone calls or attempted in-person visits. If any one was seen or spoken with, this information should be noted in the record on the CANTS 17A, Child Abuse/Neglect Investigation Interview Notes (for investigative staff) or the CFS 492, Case Entry (for follow-up staff). If a certified letter is sent, a copy of the letter and the certification shall be retained in the case or investigative record.
f) Notification of Workers for Non-Involved Children
The investigator shall assure that oral notification that a report has been received is given to the assigned caseworkers (and case managers where applicable) of the other wards in the foster home or relative home placement by the end of the next business day after notification of the parents of the involved children.
Should the investigator become aware that any of these other children may have been abused or neglected in this placement, prompt notifications shall occur as prescribed above for the involved child.
The follow-up workers (or case managers) will further be notified of the commencement of the formal investigation via the CANTS 21, Notification of CA/N Investigation in a Licensed Foster Home or Facility, and of the final investigative finding via the CANTS 21A, Results of Child Abuse/Neglect Investigation, as stated in Procedures 300.160, Special Types of Reports.
g) Restricting the Alleged Perpetrator
Investigation procedures (P300.160(b)) require that a plan must be developed to ensure that an alleged perpetrator is restricted from contact with children in a licensed child care facility during the course of the investigation. The Licensing Administrator whose responsibility it is to approve or disapprove the plan, may, when appropriate, convene a meeting with designated child welfare staff to discuss the plan.