Because 62% of child abuse is perpetrated by a member of a child’s own family, since the Illinois stay-at-home order in March, many children are in crisis. Normally, mandated reporters, neighbors, and friends would report suspected abuse, but times aren’t normal, and no one can see behind closed doors. Calls to the DCFS hotline have dropped dramatically, with only the most critical cases being exposed.

Once schools reopen, DCFS anticipates a 60% increase in abuse cases and the time to prepare is now, so no child is left without the support they need. Shelter is reaching out to you and the rest of the community to assist in finding people who will open their hearts and homes to children needing foster care.

When the court removes a child from their home for safety, every effort is made to place the child with a family where they can get be safe and get the unconditional love and support every child deserves. When no foster parent can be found, the child will go to either an institution or group home where there are few resources and no individualized care, decreasing their chances of successful outcomes.

The goal of foster care is to help children and birth parents heal so they may be safely reunited. This past year, Shelter’s foster care program exceeded the national benchmark and reunited 69% of families thanks to foster parents who cared for children in crisis. Being a foster parent can be challenging. It can also be the most rewarding experience of a lifetime.

We urge everyone to learn more about foster care and what it means to you, children in crisis, and our community so together we can save children and families. Information can be found on our website or by calling 847-255-8060.