Illinois Department of Children and Family Services
FFY 2011 Annual Progress and Services Report
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Illinois serves as the project evaluator. A summary of findings from the evaluation is provided
below.
Substance Abuse Services
Accessing Services & Participating in Treatment: According to DASA treatment
service data, parents in the demonstration group (83%) are more likely to access
AODA treatment services compared with parents in the control group (69%). There is
significant difference on treatment entry between demonstration group and control
group. In general, parents in the demonstration group enter treatment at a faster pace.
For caregivers in the demonstration group, 70% of them enter treatment within four
months (120 days), and 80% of them enter treatment within twelve month (360 days).
Comparatively, less than 70% (67%) of caregivers in the control group enter treatment
within twelve month (360 days. This difference is statistically significant.
Permanency Outcomes
As of December 31, 2010, children in the demonstration group are more likely to achieve
reunification relative to children in the control group (19% vs. 15%). This difference is
statistically significant. To compare long term permanence rates data was collected on 1,529
cases for five years. Comparing control and demonstration groups on five-year-later living
arrangements, children in the demonstration group were significantly more likely to achieve
permanence through reunification (26% vs. 22%) and adoption (38% vs.34%).
Consequentially, a smaller proportion of children in demonstration group were still in foster
care at the five year mark (16% vs. 24%)
As of December 31, 2010, on average, children in the demonstration group experience a faster
reunification than children in the control group (854 days for the demonstration group vs. 1,004
days for the control group). In other words, children in the demonstration group are in care 5
months less, (28 months) before returning home compared to children in the control group who
do not return home for at least 33 months. This difference is statistically significant.
Cost Neutrality
The cost savings generated by the IV-E waiver as of September 30, 2010 is currently
$5,278,871.00 and includes the additional costs of the expansion to St. Clair and Madison
Counties.
Reinvestment of Cost Savings Resulting from the AODA Waiver
The AODA waiver cost-savings have been reinvested for recovery coaches (a support offered
to some substance abusing parents throughout their treatment) and counseling and other
supportive services.
AODA Waiver
The original AODA waiver ended in 2005. After two short term extensions, the Department
applied for a 5 year extension which was granted in December 2006, effective January 2007,
and will run through December 2011. This extension allowed DCFS to expand the project to
two additional counties, Madison and St. Clair. This extension and expansion enabled
