Foster Care Eligibility Criteria

Neighbor to Neighbor Eligibility Criteria

• Initial placement in foster care preferred
• We will consider re-entries and siblings who are currently in the system with another agency and are at risk of being separated
• Children who are under legal custody of Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (IDCFS)
• Sibling groups of 4 children or more between the ages of 0-14; youth over 14 may be accepted as part of sibling group
• We will consider sibling groups of 3 children if they are at risk of being separated
• Family must reside in the targeted communities of the South or West sides of Chicago or Chicago's southern suburbs

Youth Connections Eligibility Criteria

• Prior to referral, the youth must be approved by Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (IDCFS) Child and Youth Investment Team or the IDCFS Specialized Foster Care unit.
• Youth must be between the ages of 12-16 years
• Youth over 16 will be considered on a case-by-case basis
• Youth usually have a goal of independence, however we will accept youth with a goal of returning home
• Youth must desire a foster home setting
• Youth and family should reside in Cook County

Click below to find more information on:

• Foster Parent Guidelines
• Neighbor to Neighbor (Sibling Foster Care)
• Neighbor to Neighbor Program Features & Successes
• Youth Connections (Adolescent Foster Care)

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