HELPING OUR CHILDREN TO SAFETY AND SECURITY

By Amie Little EDU 644 Discussion 1 week 2

ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES

The mission of DCFS is to protect children who are reported to be abused or neglected and to increase their families’ capacity to safelycare for them. Provide for the well-being of children in their care. Provide appropriatePermanent families as quickly as possible for those children who cannot safely return home.Support early intervention and child abuse preventionAnd child abuse prevention activities and work inpartnerships with communities to fulfill this mission.

THE 1997 ADOPTION AND SAFE FAMILY ACT This act clarifies that the health and safety of children served by child welfare agencies must be their paramount concern and aims to more children in foster care more quickly into permanent homes.

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services over the next five years will continue to focus on reshaping staff and stakeholder mindset regarding the need for timely permanency. They are continuing to work with Casey Family Programs in efforts to effectively message permanency in an aggressive and urgent way with a focus on the child’s sense of time. The “gold standard” for permanency highlights the three legally permanent forms: reunification, adoption and guardianship, with emphasis on the child’s sense of belonging for permanency.

REFERENCESAdoptions and Safe Families Act of 1997 (1997). https://www.socialworkers.org/archives/advocacy/Updates/1997/safeadop.htmIllinois Department of Children and Family Services https://www.illinois.gov/dcfs/aboutus/newsandreports/Documents/ChildsandFamilyServices/2015-2019_Child_and_Family-Plan/Service_Plan.pdf

Pictures:Slide One: https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/children/fosteradopt/pages/foster/index.aspxSlide 2: https://www.quotessays.com/gallery/fosterchildren-quotes-zjpg.html

Slide 3: https://www.people.howstuffworks.com/foster-cares.htm