CHICAGO, IL (Chambana Today) – May is National Foster Care Month, which recognizese the roles child welfare professionals, community social service agencies, caregivers and the public have in supporting families.
The theme of this year is “Engaging Youth. Building Supports. Strengthening Opportunities.” This aims to raise awareness about the importance of involving youth int the decisions made about their welfare, maintaining connections to important people in their lives, and how to support the youth as they transition out of foster care.
“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.”
Illinois DCFS tries very hard to reunify children with their families and preserve their bonds to their community, school, and those they love. The department also created Foster Emergency Resource Homes (ERH), which works to identify relative caregivers or a suitable home for the youth.
The KIND act, signed into law by Governor Pritzker in February and effective July 1, will make it easier for other relatives to become certified caregivers, reducing trauma and maintaining a sense of belonging. With foster parenting being such a serious commitment, Illinois DCFS offers outgoing training and a monthly stipend for the child’s basic needs. They also provide medical coverage such as food, clothing and housing costs.