Foster caregivers are entrusted with the health, safety and welfare of abused and neglected children. With this important trust comes certain rights, responsibilities and opportunities to be represented and to participate in representing foster families and children in foster care. 

This section brings together the major Illinois legal references and DCFS rules, policies and procedures related to foster caregivers’ rights and responsibilities.

Private Agency Foster Homes 

Your private agency’s unique policies and supports are not given in this handbook. If your agency has not given you its policies in writing, ask.

DCFS Foster Homes 

Caregivers whose homes are supervised directly by a DCFS office will find supports unique to DCFS-supervised foster families. Ask your DCFS region about unique regional policies or supports.

Additional rights and responsibilities of caregivers are given by topic (Health, Education, Court, etc.) in the other sections of this handbook. Changes to foster caregivers’ rights and responsibilities will be published as needed in the DCFS-sponsored newsletter, Illinois Families Now and Forever®, and should also be communicated through your agency or DCFS region. Any foster caregiver or child welfare staff member may call the DCFS Advocacy Office for Children and Families at 800-232-3798 with questions or for clarification of any DCFS rule, policy or procedure.

Current and proposed DCFS rules affecting foster caregivers can also be found on the DCFS website on the Illinois Home Page at: www.DCFS.illinois.gov. 

Section 8, Page 1