Private agencies, often referred to as POS (purchase of service) agencies, are contracted by DCFS to run foster care programs. These agencies:

• receive foster care cases from DCFS;
• work directly with the children and families in these cases;
• meet each child’s individual needs;
• report and document a family’s progress and a child’s health, safety and well-being or needs to the juvenile court;
• recruit, train and recommend licensure of agency foster parents to DCFS;
• implement the Foster Parent Law, which defines the roles and responsibilities of the parties involved in foster care. (See Section 8, pages 1-12); and
• supervise and support agency foster homes.

Each private agency develops and enforces its own policy about operating procedures and unique agency supports available to foster families and children, such as camp, after school care and support groups.