Preservation Assistance
Sometimes, after adoption, families experience challenges and need intensive support to keep their new family structure intact. For these families, Illinois offers adoption and guardianship preservation services.
These preservation services include: crisis intervention, assessment, therapeutic intervention, support groups, case management/advocacy and limited cash assistance.
Preservation services can play a crucial role in helping families cope with a variety of issues. For instance, preservation services can help a child learn to trust and become part of a family. They can also help a family develop a better understanding of their child's behaviors.
The goals of all preservation programs are to help parents:
- feel better about their ability to parent.
- understand adoption and its impact on children.
- connect current behavior to past history.
- understand their child's past losses.
- gain skills to help their child.
The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services contracts with eight agencies statewide to deliver preservation services to any family who adopts a child. Preservation agency staff are trained in child and family dynamics, and are familiar with common issues such as grief, loss and attachment. Staff members work with adoptive families to develop a service plan to meet their needs and provide home-based service, if necessary.
To connect with the preservation service provider in your area, call the AICI at 800-572-2390 or find the direct number using the information below. Simply identify your DCFS region on the map and match it with the provider on the list that follows.
Local Adoption Preservation Providers - by DCFS Region
Region 1 - Catholic Charities (Chicago) - 312-655-8357
Region 2 - Children's Home + Aid (Rockford) - 815-962-1043
Region 3 - Children's Home + Aid (Granite City) - 618-452-8900
Region 5 - Family Service Center (Springfield) - 217-528-8406
Region 6 - Lutheran Social Services (Peoria) - 309-671-0300
Region 6A - Lutheran Social Services (Bourbonnais) - 815-936-9166
Region 6B - Lutheran Social Services (Danville) - 217-477-0256
Region 7 - Matthews and Associates (Herrin) - 618-988-1330
Region 8 - Metropolitan Family Services (Wheaton) - 630-682-1802
Region 9 - Metropolitan Family Services (Chicago) - 773-884-3310
Region 10 - The Baby Fold (Normal) - 309-454-1770
Region 11 - Cornerstone (Quincy) - 217-222-8254
