About Us
The Center for Child Welfare and Education is a partnership between Northern Illinois University and the Illinois Department of Children Family Services.
The Center aims to assist the education and development of children and youth who have been abused or neglected. Its work contributes to the body of knowledge and influences training and practice to positively affect educational outcomes of this population.
Our Mission
- To promote academic success and social competence in school for every child in the care and custody of IDCFS.
Our Functions
- Influence the practice of adults in securing and providing effective educational services
- Prepare and train social welfare personnel, caregivers, and school personnel on the education of children and youth in the child welfare system
- Conduct research on issues related to the education of children who have been abused and/or neglected
- Review and develop policies for effective practice related to the education of children
Structure
The Center has two major operational units:
- Center staff provide direction and support, and they develop research, policy and programs to advance effective educational practices in child welfare and improve the capacity of educational systems to provide appropriate services
- Educational Access Project staff operationalize the Center's mission through training, technical assistance and the collaborative development of solutionsfor educational issues that impede the progress of children served by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services
