View up to date information on how Illinois is handling the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) from the State of Illinois Coronavirus Response Site
DCFS continues to operate its hotline and carry out investigations. As always, if you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, you should report it to the DCFS hotline immediately. You can contact the DCFS hotline by phone at 800-25-ABUSE (800-252-2873 or TTY 800-358-5117) or visit the DCFS website to make an online report.
DCFS, and its partners that make up the entire child welfare system, continue to monitor the safety of youth in care and conduct investigations when allegations of abuse and neglect are reported. When appropriate, staff are using technology to visit youth in care. This will help keep youth safe, keep the families looking after them safe, and reduce exposure for child welfare staff across the State.
To get the latest on the coronavirus, visit the links to DCFS distributed communications and the Illinois Department of Public Health below:
DCFS has the primary responsibility of protecting children through the investigation of suspected abuse or neglect by parents and other caregivers in a position of trust or authority over the child.
Call the 24-hour Child Abuse Hotline at 800-25-ABUSE (800-252-2873 or TTY 1-800-358-5117) if you suspect that a child has been harmed or is at risk of being harmed by abuse or neglect. If you believe a child is in immediate danger of harm, call 911 first.In non-emergency situations, anyone may report suspected child abuse or neglect using the new Online Reporting System. To learn more, click here.
Your confidential call will not only make sure the child is safe, but also help provide the child’s family the services they need to provide a safe, loving and nurturing home.
If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected you have a social responsibility to report it to the hotline. Most professionals in education, health care, law enforcement and social work are required by law to report suspected neglect or abuse. These individuals are called mandated reporters. To help mandated reporters understand their critical role in protecting children, DCFS administers a free online training course entitled Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse: Training for Mandated Reporters, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information about the guidelines for mandated reporters in Illinois, read the Mandated Reporter Manual in English or en español.
In non-emergency situations, anyone may report suspected child abuse or neglect using the new Online Reporting System. To learn more, click here.
Currently, DCFS and the Illinois Department of Healthcare & Family Services (HFS) – the state's Medicaid agency – are planning for the implementation of managed care for DCFS. They are working with YouthCare, private agency providers and other child welfare experts to ensure youth's needs are prioritized during the implementation of managed care.
Letter to caregivers announcing the delay of the transition to YouthCare (3/16/20)
The Child Welfare Medicaid Managed Care Implementation Advisory Workgroup meets regularly to advise stakeholders on the transition to YouthCare. To see the meeting schedules, membership list, meeting agendas and minutes, click here.For more information, read the Managed Care Fact Sheet.
Questions? Connect with YouthCare via email at ILYouthCare@centene.com or call 844-289-2264; or connect with DCFS via email at DCFS.HealthPlan@illinois.gov or call the DCFS Advocacy Office at 800-232-3798.
Building a family by adoption or guardianship is the beginning step of a new journey, and Illinois DCFS is committed to supporting families along the way. The PATH (Partners Available to Help) Beyond Adoption support line is the entry point to connect families that move to permanency with DCFS or by private or international adoption to available resources.
Call 866-538-8892 during business hours or leave a voicemail message at any time to:
Visit the new Path Beyond Adoption website for information, resources and support for post-adoptive families.
Every child deserves to grow up safe, secure and loved. Children from all across the state of all ages, backgrounds and abilities are taken into temporary care when it is not safe for them to remain at home. Many are in need of a loving home not only for themselves, but also a little brother or sister. Most children waiting to be adopted are living temporarily with loving relatives or licensed foster families. Some live in larger, professionally-staffed group settings. DCFS maintains an online listing with pictures and descriptions of children in need of a loving family. Please click here or call 312-328-2778 to learn how you can change the life of a child – and your own!
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services