Reporting Abuse & Neglect of Adult Residents in Children's Residential Programs

Purpose

Illinois House Bill 5132 (now Public Act 96-1446) signed by the Governor and effective August 20, 2010, revised a portion of the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act to include reporting and investigation of abuse and neglect for adult residents in Child Group Homes and Child Care Institutions.

Definition

"Adult resident" is a person between 18 and 22 years of age who resides in a facility licensed by the Department of Children and Family Services under the Child Care Act of 1969. The Act clarifies that the Department of Children and Family Services shall be responsible for receiving and investigating reports of adult resident abuse or neglect under the provisions of this Act.

Previously, the Department of Children and Family Services was limited under statute to receiving and investigating reports of abuse and neglect for children up to age 18. At the same time, the Department of Human Services' Office of Inspector General was prohibited under statute from investigating reports of abuse and neglect in settings licensed by another Department. This resulted in a gap in reporting and investigating coverage, which this Act has addressed.

Procedure

Division providers of Child Group Homes (Program 17D) and Child Care Institutions (Program 19D) should report ALL allegations of abuse and neglect of children and adult residents to the Department of Children and Family Services, regardless of the age of the resident.

The phone number for the Department of Children and Family Services hotline is

(800) 252-2873.