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SB 1508

DCFS-OFFICE OF ALUMNI SUPPORT

104th Regular Session Introduced by Sara Feigenholtz

Illinois would create an Office of Alumni Support within DCFS to coordinate housing, education, healthcare, and emergency aid for former youth in care, improving outcomes.

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Bill Summary · SB 1508

Summary — SB 1508 (Office of Alumni Support) — Illinois (Feigenholtz)

Note: The bill material provided contains text from multiple states; the summary below focuses on the Illinois measure titled “Office of Alumni Support” (SB1508), which would amend the Children and Family Services Act.

Purpose and intent

SB1508 directs the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to create an Office of Alumni Support to improve outcomes for “former youth in care” — young adults who previously received foster care or other child welfare services. The Legislature’s findings in the bill note that youth exiting care face higher rates of homelessness, unemployment, incarceration, psychiatric hospitalization and other adverse outcomes, and that targeted supports can measurably improve housing, employment, education, health, and safety.

Key provisions

  • Establishment: DCFS must establish an Office of Alumni Support no later than July 1, 2026.
  • Mission: Link former youth in care to existing programs, identify gaps, research evidence‑based and evidence‑informed models, and implement necessary new or modified supports.
  • Service areas (minimum): housing referrals (including targeted housing resources), financial assistance (including for school breaks), educational and post‑secondary support, vocational referrals and job training, peer mentoring by former youth in care, assistance reconnecting with family/siblings, public benefits enrollment support, parenting and childcare supports and supplies, medical and mental health referrals and insurance navigation, and emergency funds.
  • Crisis program: Creates the Former Youth in Care Crisis Support Services Program — managed by the Office — to provide immediate funds for urgent needs (examples listed: emergency housing, healthcare, food, transportation, and essential items to remain in work or school).
  • Technology: Requires development of a mobile application (with youth input) to allow youth to store necessary adult‑living documents securely (cloud‑based), link to resources, and receive notifications; the app should be available to youth before they exit care.
  • Youth involvement and stakeholder engagement: Current and former youth in care must provide input, guidance and direction in establishment and operation of the Office. The Department must actively engage a list of stakeholders (advocates, providers, relevant state agencies and others as identified in the bill) when developing the Office.
  • Reporting and oversight: DCFS must submit quarterly progress reports to the General Assembly on Office establishment. The Auditor General will conduct a performance audit 2 years after the act’s effective date to assess compliance with the law.
  • Implementation tasks: Identify gaps based on needs, research models, and implement changes to provide additional supports.

Who is affected

  • Primary beneficiaries: Former youth in care (alumni of the child welfare system) in Illinois who need or request assistance.
  • Implementing agency: Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).
  • Other stakeholders: providers of housing, education, workforce, health and mental‑health services; community organizations; advocates; and state agencies involved in benefits and service delivery.

Timeline and procedural items

  • Office required to be established by July 1, 2026.
  • DCFS must provide quarterly progress reports to the General Assembly during establishment.
  • Performance audit by the Auditor General is required two years after the law’s effective date.
  • The bill text directs youth‑driven design and stakeholder engagement as part of implementation.

Potential impacts

  • Intended to reduce gaps in continuity of care and improve measurable outcomes (housing stability, employment, education, health) for young people exiting the child welfare system.
  • Provides a centralized DCFS entity to coordinate supports, deliver emergency funds fast, and develop tools (mobile app) to assist youth transitioning to adulthood.
  • Fiscal and operational impacts will depend on DCFS resource allocation, any appropriation for the crisis fund, and contracting for tech/third‑party services; the quarterly reports and Auditor General audit are designed to monitor implementation and effectiveness.

Sponsors/companion legislation: Introduced in the Illinois Senate by Sen. Sara Feigenholtz; companion House bills noted in the legislative materials (HB 1028, HB 1438).

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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