Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS)

Over the last decade, more than 15,000 children got the chance they deserve to love and be loved, and to reach their fullest potential thanks to families across our state that chose to adopt through DCFS. By providing a child with a loving and permanent home, adoptive families have discovered the unique joy of making a life-changing difference to a child. To learn more about adoption options, call: 800-572-2390.

The Hotline is located at the Department's State Central Register in Springfield. Anyone may report suspected child abuse or neglect. However, state law mandates that workers in certain professions must make reports if they have reasonable cause to suspect abuse or neglect. A majority of reports are initiated by calls from mandated reporters. To reach the Child Abuse Hotline, call: 800-252-2873.

DCFS offers resources for anyone interested in licensed childcare in Illinois--parents, providers, and the public. Not only can you find out about a licensed childcare facility's history, now you can learn about licensing standards, how to become a provider, where to find help with your childcare expenses, how to make a complaint, etc. For more information, visit https://sunshine.dcfs.illinois.gov/Content/Licensing/Welcome.aspx, or call 877-746-0829.

To report missing, abducted or runaway DCFS youth in care, call: 866-503-0184.

Every year, thousands of foster families across Illinois provide a temporary safe haven for children who have been placed in DCFS care by local courts. DCFS strives to reunite children with their birth families, and nearly half of all foster children are reunified with their families within 12 months. When reunification simply is not possible, as determined by the courts, many foster families choose to adopt the children they have cared for. To ensure your success as a foster parent, prospective foster families are required to: Participate in a home inspection and social assessment; Complete 27 hours of training focused on foster care and the needs of children who are in foster care; Complete a criminal background check of all household members; Be financially stable; & Complete a health screening that includes verification that immunizations are up-to-date. FOR MORE INFO, CALL: 800-232-3798 / 217-524-2029