Statewide Partnering With Parents Advisory Council

Welcome to the web page for the DCFS "Partnering With Parents" Initiative.

In the "Partnering with Parents" initiative, parents have an opportunity to have direct influence over how the child welfare system works with parents. Through this initiative, parents may participate in informational presentations about DCFS programs, policies and resources within their communities. The "Partnering with Parents" initiative is for all parents who have been, or who currently are being served by the Illinois child welfare system.

The "Partnering with Parents" initiative supports regional Parent Councils, Parent Information Fairs, Annual Parent Summits and Resource links.

Parent councils meet in teh cities shown in the chart below. Click on the links to read any literature the groups may have developed, including meeting calendars for some groups.

Parent Information Fairs are held in various areas of the state. Here, parents can meet with community agencies, listen to presentations about various topics of interest, and enjoy free food and gifts. Watch this site for announcements of upcoming fairs.

Resource links provide parents with a wealth of useful information from around the state.

For parents in Chicago or Cook County, call Donnella Bishop Ward at 773-371-6122
For parents in other parts of the state, call Ray Gates at 217-524-2422.

Resources for Parents:

• 20th Annual Recovery Month: "Together We Learn, Together We Heal" (Adobe Acrobat)
• Administrative Case Review: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions (Adobe Acrobat)
• ¡Joven, tu OPINIÓN cuenta! Datos acerca de la Revisión Administrativa de Caso (ACR)
• Advocacy Office for Children and Families (Adobe Acrobat)
• La Oficina de abogacia para ninos y familias (Adobe Acrobat)
• Burgos Consent Decree (Adobe Acrobat)
• Decreto de consentimiento (Adobe Acrobat)
• Client Rights and Responsibilities
• Derechos y Responsabilidades del Cliente
• Enhanced Subsidized Guardianship Waiver Extension Fact Sheet
• HOME SAFETY CHECKLIST FOR PARENTS, CAREGIVERS, FAMILY AND FRIENDS
• LISTA DE VERIFICACIÓN DE SEGURIDAD DE HOGAR PARA LOS PADRES Y PERSONAS QUE PROPORCIONAN CUIDADOS INFANTIL
• Integrated Assessment Program Fact Sheet
• Know Your Rights - Burgos consent decree poster (English and Spanish versions)
• Making the Adoption/Guardianship Decision
• Norman Services (Adobe Acrobat)
• Servicios Norman (Adobe Acrobat)
• CFS 600-4 Sharing Information with the Caregiver
• Substitute Care and Your Child
• What You Need to Know about a Child Abuse or Neglect Investigation Brochure (Adobe Acrobat)
• Lo Que Usted Necesita Sobre Una Investigacion de Abuso O Negligencia de Ninos (Adobe Acrobat)
• You, Your Children, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and Child Abuse: Guide for Parents who are Mexican Nationals (Adobe Acrobat)
• Tu, tus hijos, el Departmento de Services Para Ninos y Families del Estado de Illinois (DCFS) y el "abuse infantil" Guis para padres Mexicanos (Adobe Acrobat)