The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (IDCFS) is committed to helping children reach their full potential by assisting them to succeed in school. Foster parents and caregivers are encouraged to work together with their children's caseworkers and educators as a team. IDCFS has a comprehensive array of educational resources to assist foster and adoptive families. These resources are coordinated by Education Advisors located throughout the state.
IDCFS Education Advisors are located in each region and are responsible for the overall coordination of educational issues within the region. Education Advisors and Assistant Education Advisors provide ongoing technical assistance and training for caseworkers, education liaisons, school personnel, foster families, adoptive families and caregivers regarding educational and early intervention services.
Six hours of Education Advocacy training is provided to prepare foster parents/caregivers to participate in their child's special education or early intervention program.
Private fostercare agencies have Education Liaisons who provide support to caregivers, caseworkers and school personnel with education issues only affecting the children served by the individual agency.
DCFS has a legal services contract with Land of Lincoln to provide legal representation for youngsters in care and custody regarding special education, early intervention and discipline issues.