(405 ILCS 85/1)

(from Ch. 91 1/2, par. 2001)

Sec. 1.

Short title.

This Act may be cited as the

Home Environment Living Program Act.

(Source: P.A. 89‑507, eff. 7‑1‑97.)

(405 ILCS 85/2)

(from Ch. 91 1/2, par. 2002)

Sec. 2.

Purpose.

The purpose of this Act is to create a program which provides services and care in substitute family homes for persons with a developmental disability and which allows individuals who have skills in parenting, and who are recipients of public assistance, to apply those skills in caring for persons with a disability.

(Source: P.A. 86‑1385.)

(405 ILCS 85/3)

(from Ch. 91 1/2, par. 2003)

Sec. 3.

Definitions.

In this Act:

(a) "Department" means the Department of Human Services.

(b) "Project HELP" means the Home Environment Living Program.

(c) "Home caregiver" means a substitute family home which provides services and care to a child or adult who is severely disabled.

(Source: P.A. 89‑507, eff. 7‑1‑97.)

(405 ILCS 85/4)

(from Ch. 91 1/2, par. 2004)

Sec. 4.

Powers and duties.

The Department shall have the power to promulgate rules to effectuate the policies of this Act and shall:

(a) administer Project HELP.

(b) assure that any individual who serves as a home caregiver receives adequate training prior to and during the employment period.

(c) provide support services and monitoring to assure quality services are provided which promote long term, stable placements.

(Source: P.A. 89‑507, eff. 7‑1‑97.)

(405 ILCS 85/5)

(from Ch. 91 1/2, par. 2005)

Sec. 5.

Agencies.

The Department shall endeavor to identify recipients of public assistance who have demonstrated expertise in caregiving. The Department shall ensure that home caregivers are provided with necessary public assistance benefits during the training and transition period.

(Source: P.A. 89‑507, eff. 7‑1‑97.)

(405 ILCS 85/6)

(from Ch. 91 1/2, par. 2006)

Sec. 6.

Home caregivers.

Prospective home caregivers shall be selected from among recipients of public assistance according to their capacity to provide a safe, healthy, nurturing home environment and to assure reliable quality care. No individual shall be required to participate nor may any individual's public assistance benefits be denied due to declining to participate in this program. Each home caregiver who serves a child shall be licensed as a foster home by the Department of Children and Family Services or a designated Child Welfare Agency prior to placement of any individual in the home. Each Project HELP home shall serve one individual; the Department may waive this provision in exceptional circumstances, but in no case may more than two individuals be served in the same Project HELP home.

(Source: P.A. 86‑1385.)

(405 ILCS 85/7)

(from Ch. 91 1/2, par. 2007)

Sec. 7.

Individuals to be served.

Individuals to be served in Project HELP homes shall be children or adults with a severe disability who would benefit from a family home environment. The primary target population is persons residing in State operated developmental centers prior to placement in a Project HELP home. Clients shall exercise choice in determining whether they wish to participate in Project HELP and in selecting the individual who will serve as the Home caregiver.

(Source: P.A. 86‑1385.)

(405 ILCS 85/8)

(from Ch. 91 1/2, par. 2008)

Sec. 8.

Implementation.

Implementation of this program is subject to the availability of funds appropriated for this purpose. Actual placement of individuals shall not occur earlier than 180 days after the effective date of this Act.

(Source: P.A. 86‑1385.)

(405 ILCS 85/9)

(from Ch. 91 1/2, par. 2009)

Sec. 9.

This Act takes effect upon becoming law.

(Source: P.A. 86‑1385.)