This month of May marks National Foster Care Month, honoring the work of child welfare professionals and foster families who support youth in care.

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) highlights this year’s theme, “Engaging Youth. Building Supports. Strengthening Opportunities,” which emphasizes youth involvement in welfare decisions and smooth transitions from care. DCFS works to reunify children with their families, and when that’s not possible, it recruits foster families to provide stable, loving homes. Over 7,200 licensed foster families support the state’s foster youth, including through the Emergency Resource Home program, which offers short-term care.

The KIND Act, effective July 1, will improve support for relatives caring for children. DCFS offers stipends, training, and resources to ensure children’s needs are met.

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