SB 3854

Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Requires the Department of Children and Family Services, as the State agency responsible for administering federal funds in accordance with Title IV-E of the Social Security Act, to apply to the Administration for Children and Families within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for approval to amend the State's Family First Title IV-E Prevention Plan to implement a Community Pathway for Parents as Teachers model that allows at-risk families to access needed services through community-based referrals from organizations that offer evidence-based programs aimed at preventing foster care entry. Provides that the Community Pathway for Parents as Teachers model shall target families with children age 0 through 5 years and provide parents with child development knowledge and parenting support to help prevent child abuse and neglect. Provides that the Community Pathway for Parents as Teachers model shall be an alternative prevention strategy to the Department's traditional child protection approach by better facilitating families' accessibility to needed services, without child welfare involvement, through the integration of the existing Parents as Teachers model administered and supported by the Parents as Teachers Illinois State Office. Provides that Title IV-E funding shall be used to support and expand the network of community-based services and supports for children and families under the existing Parents as Teachers model. Requires the Department to collaborate with the Parents as Teachers Illinois State Office, the Illinois State Board of Education, and any other relevant agency in the development of the Community Pathway for Parents as Teachers model.