About DCFS
The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) promotes the well-being of children, youth, and families by responding to reports of potential abuse and neglect and, when needed providing family-centered care and connection to resources. Our vision is that every child and youth can grow and thrive in family.
To accomplish our mission and vision, in 2024, DCFS came together as a team of more than 3,800 people to define our values:
- Family-Focused
- Integrity
- Respect
- Empathy
- Equity
These values correspond to our goals of:
- Right sizing the front door.
- Empowering and equipping our staff for success.
- Centering our policies, practices and procedures on what is best for children, youth and families.
- Better supporting children and youth with complex medical and healthcare needs.
- Ensuring our children and youth transition out of care successfully.
From helping more than 5,374 Illinois children achieve permanency in FY23 through reunification, adoption or guardianship; to the licensing of nearly 8,000 day care facilities; answering of more than 231,500 calls to the Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline and provision of services to 60,000 families annually; the department and its more than 3,800 employees are dedicated to providing unrivaled professional service to ensure safe, loving homes and brighter futures for every child in Illinois.