(a) Prior to referring homeless families to a shelter, the referring agency shall consult with families and in making the referral shall consider the following factors: (1) the potential for the child's academic and social success at the school of origin; (2) a family history of domestic violence; (3) the family's employment status; (4) the family's job training opportunities; (4.5) the military status of any member of the family to determine the family's eligibility for State or federal benefits and other supportive services for homeless veterans and their families, including, but not limited to, housing or rental assistance, job training, and employment opportunities; (5) the proximity of other familial support; (6) the availability of shelter resources appropriate to the family's needs; and (7) other social, psychological and health considerations. Based on the above, a referring agency shall refer homeless families with a school age child to the shelter closest to their child's school of origin unless the parent determines that it is not in the best interest of the child or children to attend the school of origin or to be placed in a shelter near the school of origin. (b) If the parent chooses to be located in a shelter nearest the school of origin and no space is available in that shelter, the family shall be referred to or placed in an available shelter next nearest to the school of origin unless the parent chooses otherwise. (c) This Act shall not be construed to mean that a shelter facility must serve any family not otherwise eligible for its services. (d) As used in this Section, "military status" has the meaning ascribed to that term in Section 1-103 of the Illinois Human Rights Act. success at the school of origin; to determine the family's eligibility for State or federal benefits and other supportive services for homeless veterans and their families, including, but not limited to, housing or rental assistance, job training, and employment opportunities; to the family's needs; and considerations.
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