May is Foster Parent Appreciation Month in Illinois, a time to thank the thousands of foster families across the state that have opened their homes to provide a temporary safe haven to abused and neglected children who have been placed in the care of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services by local courts. Each year, an average of 4,000 children from across the state, of all ages, backgrounds and abilities, are taken into temporary state care when their home life is unsafe.  DCFS works with the family to make the positive changes necessary to reunite with their children while foster families step up and provide homes where the children are protected, nurtured and loved.

Making the decision to become a foster parent is a serious commitment to a child. Illinois DCFS and a network of private agency partners offers a range of supports to foster families, including a monthly stipend for the child’s basic needs, including food, clothing and housing costs; a medical card; therapeutic, educational, recreational and crisis support services; and access to caseworkers, training programs and support groups to meet the child’s and family’s needs. For more information or to become a licensed foster parent, call 1-800-572-2390 or fill out the online interest form on the DCFS website: https://www2.illinois.gov/dcfs. Click on Loving Homes then on Become a Foster or Adoptive Parent.