Illinois DCFS celebrates national #1 ranking in kinship care; reports progress made in KIND Act implementation

State leaders highlight new Relative Caregiver Certification program and expanded permanency pathways for youth in care

The Resolution urges the Department to continue its work to expand permanency options for children and youth in care and ensure family connections are maintained when reunification is not possible. It also calls on DCFS to pursue new federal funding for kinship navigator services and continue providing training and resources for staff. The resolution also encourages the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts to provide statewide judicial education on the KIND Act and expresses support for the judiciary's efforts to fully implement the Act.

As of May 14, more than 340 youth currently live with caregivers certified under the new program, helping preserve family and community connections while improving long-term outcomes.

"Seeing a comforting face every day can make all the difference in the life of a youth in care," said Governor JB Pritzker. "Last year, I was proud to sign the landmark KIND Act into law, and I applaud the tireless efforts of DCFS to implement the Relative Caregiver Certification program as we continue to support children and families across Illinois."

"The KIND Act is changing lives by creating a path to permanency for the 8,700 children and youth in our care who are living with relatives, and we are thankful for the support of Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois legislature as we work to reimagine the child welfare system in Illinois," said Illinois DCFS Director Heidi E. Mueller. "The Act is transforming how we support children and their families, and we remain fully committed to expanding kinship placements, expanding permanency pathways for children and youth in our care, and ensuring that our vision for every child and youth to grow and thrive in a family becomes a reality."

"Since the implementation of the KIND Act, we've seen firsthand how compassionate, community-centered policy can improve lives and strengthen trust between families and government," said Representative Marcus C. Evans, Jr. "The rollout has been thoughtful, effective, and rooted in dignity. I want to thank Governor JB Pritzker for his compassionate leadership and unwavering commitment to ensuring Illinois leads with humanity and fairness."

"The approach of the KIND ACT is simple - allow children facing the trauma of separation from their parents to stay with someone they know, someone with whom they have a relationship and someone they can trust," said Nora Collins-Mandeville, director of the Youth and Family Policy Project at the ACLU of Illinois. "It prioritizes the needs of children and families over bureaucracy and red tape. We are seeing the first signs that we can achieve better results for children facing a life-changing, traumatic moment. Under the KIND Act, we are choosing to surround that child with family members who know who and what the child loves and what they need."