Illinois DCFS is highlighting National Foster Care Month by rolling out new initiatives to assist families and youth across the state. Among the latest efforts are Emergency Resource Homes, designed to provide immediate safe placement for children, and the KIND Act, which streamlines the process for relatives to become caregivers. With more than 7,000 licensed foster families currently providing care, the agency says these steps aim to build a stronger support network and keep children connected to their communities. Officials encourage continued community involvement and awareness as they work to improve outcomes for children and families in the foster care system.
“Every child and youth in our care deserves to feel safe and loved” said Illinois DCFS Director Heidi E. Mueller. “It is because of our incredible foster parents across the state that children, youth and siblings can have a home and foster parent who has opened their heart, home and even their family so that a child can have the love and stability they need during a very difficult time.”
“Staying in a familiar place and seeing a comforting face every day can make all the difference in the life of a child-in-care,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “The KIND Act enhances family finding efforts to ensure we are doing everything we can to identify relatives who can care for and maintain ongoing, supportive connections with our youth. Just as importantly, it holds us accountable to incorporate the voices of youth and families in decisions that have a lasting impact on their lives. Thank you to the General Assembly, the Illinois ACLU, and my state government partners for helping make this important legislation possible.”
Foster homes are needed for children of all ages, including sibling groups, adolescents, African American and Latino children, children with special medical needs, teenage mothers and their babies and LGBTQI+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and/or questioning, intersex) children. To learn more about some of the children in need of a foster family, visit the Heart Gallery of Illinois at https://letitbeus.org/heart-
