The purpose of services is to provide the child with a continuous, safe and stable living environment, promote family autonomy, strengthen family life where possible and promote the reunification of the child with the parent, guardian or custodian, when applicable. Support Services DCFS does this by opening up services case files. When there is no abuse or neglect present, but a family requests services, DCFS opens a Supportive Services case. In SFY 1999, DCFS served 1,387 children and their families. In SFY 1999, DCFS served 6,757 children and their families.
All children deserve a permanent home.
One option is to terminate parental rights to free a child for adoptive placement when it has been determined to be in the best interest of the child. In SFY 1999, there were 305 children placed in adoptive homes. In SFY 1999, there were 9 adoption disruptions. When a child has been removed and needs a foster home replacement, DCFS places the child in an approved foster home. The approval process ensures that a potential foster parent attends training and meets health, safety, and physical requirements and satisfies other standards outlined in the Standards for Approval of Foster Family Homes .