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Illinois Child Welfare Statistics at a Glance

Illinois Child Welfare Statistics at a Glance

The Illinois Department of Children & Family Services believes that no child should grow up in foster care.  We agree.  We must work together to lift Illinois out of last place in the nation for achieving timely permanency, while keeping the safety of our children in the forefront of everything that we do.  Your support will help to change these FY21 statistics about Illinois’ children.

1.56 Billion FY22 Budget
20,446 Number of children and youth, age 0-21, in DCFS custody on 1/31/2023
200,607 Hotline calls in FY21
86,738 DCFS investigations conducted in FY21
146,125 Child victims associated with investigations of abuse or neglect in FY21
6,814 Number of children who entered foster care in FY21
4,163 Number of families being served on 6/30/2021 in the preservation program keeping kids at home
2,863 DCFS employees FY21 end-of-year
5,413 Achieved permanency in FY21. The reunification rate was 20.0%; 9.7% for adoption; and 2.1% for guardianship.
1627 Youth in Care between the ages of 18-21.
122 Despite contact with DCFS, 122 Illinois children died in 2021 of abuse and neglect according to the Inspector General's Report.

Sources:  The Illinois Department of Children & Family Services Budget Briefing FY23, 2022 Inspector General Report, and the DCFS Demographic Information of Children in Foster/Relative/Institution/Group Home Care, Data as of December 31, 2021 and https://www2.illinois.gov/dcfs/aboutus/newsandreports/reports/Pages/default.aspx

Our impact this year has changed our community!

  • Children Served in FY23

    9,778

  • Volunteer Hours in FY22

    275,000

  • Volunteer Advocates in FY23

    3,515

  • Number of New Volunteers in FY22

    675

Thank you to our generous sponsors:

  • National CASA
    National CASA
  • Illinois DCFS
    Illinois DCFS
  • The Office of Illinois Courts
    The Office of Illinois Courts
  • Illinois Attorney General
    Illinois Attorney General
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