1 Norman Services because every child deserves a home IntroductionsandRoll-Call If your name is not on the roster you must register for another session by contacting

2 Learning Objectives At the end of this training, you will be able to: Explain the purpose of Norman Services Know how to certify a family into the Norman Class Make appropriate referrals to the Norman Housing Advocacy Program Make appropriate referrals to IDHS Norman TANF Application Program Make appropriate referrals to Norman Cash Assistance Program Recognize appropriate forms to be used for each program and where to get them Accurately complete forms Document reason for certifying a family in case notes Use D-NET to locate who to send completed forms

3 Definition of Norman Consent Decree Established a class of families whose children are in danger of being placed in, or cannot be returned home from, DCFS custody due to the family’s inability to provide adequately for their child’s basic needs. Filed 1989Entered March 28, 1991

4 Reason for Norman Consent Decree Ensure that the Department would not: Ensure that the Department would not: –Remove children because of inadequate living circumstances unless there was imminent danger to the child and reasonable efforts to prevent placement could not eliminate that risk; –Prevent the return of children home for subsistence issues.

5 Norman Issues Norman Issues Inadequate food Inadequate shelter, including shelter in a homeless shelter Inadequate clothing Environmental neglect

6 Requirements for Certification into Norman Class Parents must have or have had custody of the child and one or more of the “Norman Issues” present. Parents must have or have had custody of the child and one or more of the “Norman Issues” present. Family’s living conditions (e.g. inadequate housing, lack of utility services, food, clothing, furniture) must either: Family’s living conditions (e.g. inadequate housing, lack of utility services, food, clothing, furniture) must either: –Threaten the removal of the child from home, or –Prevent the return home of the child in substitute care

7 When to Certify a Family into Norman Class Ask the following questions: – –Is at least one of the four “Norman” issues present? – –Is this issue alone, or the combination of them, severe enough to warrant the removal of the child or keep the child from being returned home?

8 Completing Forms for Certification into Norman Class During Investigation – –Norman Class Certification During Child Abuse/Neglect Investigations (CANTS 24-Norman) During Administrative Case Review (ACR) – –Enter information on the CYCIS system When Intact or Placement Services are provided; CWS or Norman Liaison may certify – –CFS “Norman Class Certification for Reunification or Intact Family Cases”

9 Determining Eligibility & Approving Norman Services Investigators & Caseworkers Supervisors POS agencies Authorized DCFS supervisors Norman Liaisons Regional Norman Liaison Norman Program Coordinator

10 Criteria for Norman Services Policy homepage.phtml?page=21#P12_83 A family must: – –have an open DCFS case. – –be certified into the Norman Class.

11 Three Norman Services Norman Housing Advocacy Program (HAP) IDHS Norman TANF Application Program (IDHS-NAP) Cash Assistance Program (CAP) TANF

12 Norman Housing Advocacy Program (HAP) Offers housing services to Norman Class members – –Family must have an open DCFS case – –Family must be Norman certified for inadequate housing

13 Services Provided by HAP Services Provided by HAP Educate families how to locate and apply for housing Develop apartment listings for the families they serve Assist families to locate and apply for appropriate housing Assist families to obtain emergency shelter, income assistance, entitlement programs and other community services and resources Identify and resolve housing problems before they reach a crisis stage

14 Follow-up Services by HAP DCFS case must remain open for at least 3 months after the family is housed to allow HAP to provide the following services: – –Visit the family after they are housed and before closing the case. – –Contact the family monthly to ensure they are stable. – –Contact landlord at end of first month and before closing case to ensure rent is being paid.

15 Do Not Close Case… Talk to HAP

16 Completing Request for Housing Advocacy Complete first page of CFS \\dcfs\dfsroot\templates\SACWIS Templates\CFS Request for Cash and-or Housing Assistance (Rev ).dot \\dcfs\dfsroot\templates\SACWIS Templates\CFS Request for Cash and-or Housing Assistance (Rev ).dot Supervisors sign in the box at the bottom of page 1 (CFS 370-5)

17 Referring a Family to HAP DCFS – –Supervisors can fax referrals directly to HAP POS – –Supervisors fax form CFS to POS Norman Liaison DCFS & POS – –Completed CFS is put in client’s case file – –Inform client that a housing advocate from HAP will attempt to contact them within one business day.

18 IDHS Norman TANF Application Programs Apply for full benefits when child is within 90 days of return home and receive check 30 days before child is returned home. Placement less than 90 days. Continue full family TANF grant if their children are placed in foster care for less than 90 days. TANF TANF

19 Return a Child Home Family has been Norman certified. Family would be eligible for TANF benefits except for the fact that the child is in placement. Worker and supervisor expect the child to be returned within 90 days. TANF TANF

20 Placing a Child in DCFS Custody Family has been Norman certified. Family was receiving TANF benefits at the time of the removal of the child. At least one child is expected to return within 90 days of removal. TANF TANF

21 Completing Form CFS \\dcfs\dfsroot\templates\SACWIS Templates\CFS Referral to IDHS Norman TANF Application Program (Rev ).dot \\dcfs\dfsroot\templates\SACWIS Templates\CFS Referral to IDHS Norman TANF Application Program (Rev ).dot Make sure you have the family’s information and your information. You also need to know the return-home date, which is the next court date when the child will be returned home. The supervisor must sign in the appropriate place. Make sure a DCFS supervisor or Norman Liaison refers the family. TANF TANF

22 Referring to TANF Application Program POS Supervisor POS Supervisor –Faxes completed form to POS Norman Liaison DCFS Supervisor or Norman Liaison DCFS Supervisor or Norman Liaison –Faxes to the Illinois Department of Human Services ( ) Attn: Tara Sangster - Clark. Keep a copy of the completed form in the case file. Keep a copy of the completed form in the case file. TANF TANF

23 Cash Assistance Program (CAP) Families who are members of the Norman Class may obtain cash assistance to purchase items that are needed to return a child home, or for children who are presently in the home when the family can’t afford the items themselves.

24 Determining When Cash Assistance Should be Provided 1. Are the items that are being requested through the cash assistance program needed for the child to be returned home or to keep the child from being placed in care?

25 Five Basic Needs Housing Utilities Stove Refrigerators Beds for the Children

26 Determining When Cash Assistance Should be Provided 2. 2.Will providing this assistance keep the family stable?

27 Determining When Cash Assistance Should be Provided 3.Does the client have access to other resources, including their own income and assets, that can be used to address any of these issues?

28 Developing a Budget Important service that caseworkers and investigators can provide. Important service that caseworkers and investigators can provide. Determines what items should be purchased through Norman Cash Assistance program. Determines what items should be purchased through Norman Cash Assistance program. Documentation by completing CFS 370-5C “Monthly Budget” Documentation by completing CFS 370-5C “Monthly Budget” \\dcfs\dfsroot\templates\SACWISTemplates\CFS370-5CMonthly BudgetForm(Rev ).dot \\dcfs\dfsroot\templates\SACWISTemplates\CFS370-5CMonthly BudgetForm(Rev ).dot \\dcfs\dfsroot\templates\SACWISTemplates\CFS370-5CMonthly BudgetForm(Rev ).dot \\dcfs\dfsroot\templates\SACWISTemplates\CFS370-5CMonthly BudgetForm(Rev ).dot

29 Completing CFS \\dcfs\dfsroot\templates\SACWIS Templates\CFS Request for Cash and-or Housing Assistance (Rev ).dot \\dcfs\dfsroot\templates\SACWIS Templates\CFS Request for Cash and-or Housing Assistance (Rev ).dot \\dcfs\dfsroot\templates\SACWIS Templates\CFS Request for Cash and-or Housing Assistance (Rev ).dot \\dcfs\dfsroot\templates\SACWIS Templates\CFS Request for Cash and-or Housing Assistance (Rev ).dot Complete both pages of CFS “Request for Cash and/or Housing Assistance” Complete both pages of CFS “Request for Cash and/or Housing Assistance” Explain the purpose of the request. Explain the purpose of the request. Supervisor approving the request must sign in box “Signatures of Persons Requesting Cash Assistance” (Page 2) Supervisor approving the request must sign in box “Signatures of Persons Requesting Cash Assistance” (Page 2) Submit supporting documents Submit supporting documents SIGNATURES AUTHORIZING CASH ASSISTANCE

30 Making a Referral for Cash Assistance Fax copy of NM-01 screen printout with Form CFS to the agency providing the cash assistance check. Pick up check at the agency providing the check. Must be a DCFS, POS or HAP employee and have identification with their signature. Obtain necessary approvals Keep the completed form in the case file. Checks cannot be written to clients, relatives, caseworkers or supervisors

31 Process for Appeal and Denial of Services CFS “Notice to Norman Class Members” – –Informs families of Norman Services and rights of Norman Class members – –Provides a listing of services available to families certified into the Norman Class, how to request services and how to appeal any decision to deny, reduce or delay services. CFS “Approval & Disapproved Letter” – –Letter must be sent to client for denying, reducing or delaying the request for the amount of assistance. CFS must be attached.

32 Other Resources Available Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) – –Assistance in paying Utility Bills ( ) Homeless Prevention Fund – –Assistance in paying mortgage, rent, security deposit and/or utilities

33 Questions & Answers