Illinois Department of Children and Family Services
FFY 2011 Annual Progress and Services Report
442
either by aging out or completing the program’s 12 month eligibility. As of April 19, 2011,
(120) youth have been approved for participation during SFY11. There are 267 youth currently
being served.
Strengthen and Help Youth Prepare For and Enter Post-Secondary Training and
Educational Institutions by Employing Specific Strategies
A. Referrals of Youth with Developmental and Learning Disabilities to the Division of
Clinical Services
The Department distributed a Policy Guide on July 1, 2005 to all caseworkers regarding the
transition to the Ansell Casey Life Skills Assessment tool. The Policy Guide specifically states
that the tool is not appropriate to assess youth with developmental and learning disabilities. The
Guide directs caseworkers to refer these youth to the Administrator for Developmental
Disability Services in the Division of Clinical Services. In addition, the revised Procedures 302,
Appendix M – Transition Planning for Adolescent Wards also contains the same directive to
caseworkers. In some instances caseworkers have attempted to use the ACLSA tool and
subsequently make a referral to the life skill program. Life skill providers will attempt to
deliver services to the youth.
B. Educational Training for Youth Graduating from High School
DCFS youth graduating from high school have always had access to assistance with college
preparation, etc. through their caseworker and/or the Education Advisor for their region.
Additionally, Annual High School Academic Planning Meetings are required where the youth,
caseworker, caregiver, and other relevant participants develop an Annual High School
Academic Plan. The Planning Meetings occur each year of the high school career. The primary
focus of the junior and senior year meetings is on the youth’s post-secondary plans, including
but not limited to, participating in college tours, registering for and taking the ACT/SAT,
completing financial aid forms, etc.
The Alternative Schools Network Project New Futures program provides pre and post
graduation transition services for DCFS youth in and graduating from the Alternative Schools
Network Youth Scholars, Skills and Service program. There are five full time staff that provide
these services to the youth. Project New Futures has served 177 youth in FFY 2011.
Services rendered by previously mentioned, Project New Futures and Work Attitude School
Study Youth Programs (WASSUP), are critical in providing educational training for youth
graduating from high school.
The Building Our Own Communities (BOOC) program provided outreach services to DCFS
youth ages 9-18 and their caregivers to assist in the development of positive social skills aimed
at promoting academic progression and self-sufficiency. The BOOC program is designed to
stabilize teen placements by providing additional support to caregivers and youth via
educational supports, crisis counseling, life skills, and employment training. The program also
interacts with local school districts in an attempt to decrease truancy, suspension, expulsion,
and criminal involvement.
