Welcome to the DCFS Guardian Consent Portal
About Us
The DCFS Guardian is appointed by the Director of DCFS and serves as the:
• acting custodian for children in DCFS protective custody
•
temporary custodian
of each child or youth placed in the care of the Department through an order of temporary custody by a juvenile court
•
legal guardian
of the person of each child or youth adjudicated to be an abused, neglected or dependent minor and placed in the guardianship of the Department by a juvenile court
•
legal guardian
and custodian with power to consent to adoption of a child for whom one or both parents have executed a written surrender for adoption
• legal guardian
of youth in care over 18 years of age who are unable to consent on behalf of themselves, with court authority
The Guardianship Administrator is charged with making important decisions affecting the general welfare of children served by the department and protecting their legal rights. Specific duties include, but are not limited to: consent to the adoption of a youth under the care of the department; making other important decisions in conjunction with youth and parents when possible, such as consents to marriage, enlistment in the armed forces, major medical, surgical and psychiatric treatment, travel; removal from life support and/or Do Not Resuscitate Orders; and representing and arranging for legal representation of youth in litigation.
Consent Request Process
With a few exceptions, the DCFS Guardian is authorized to consent to important decisions affecting the child or youth while the child/youth is under 18 years of age and in the Department’s care.
The DCFS Guardian has authority to deny consent when appropriate. The Guardian will rely heavily on information and recommendations from the child's permanency or adoption worker and supervisor in this decision making process. In order to make medical, dental and psychiatric decisions on behalf of youth in care, the DCFS guardian works closely with medical experts.
Submit Request
Fill out the appropriate form based on the type of consent being requested. Requests must be completely and accurately filled out to be processed.
Review Request
Submissions will be reviewed by the Consent Unit Staff. Psychotropic Medication and Medical/ Surgical Requests will also be reviewed by a medical professional.
Provide Consent Outcome
Each request will be approved or denied and returned to the contact method provided in the request. It typically takes 5-7 business days to review and provide the consent outcome.