Illinois Recognizes Foster Parent Appreciation Month, Highlights Kinship Care Growth

CHICAGO — The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is recognizing May as Foster Parent Appreciation Month to honor foster families and relative caregivers who provide homes for children in state care. Officials said foster parents and kinship caregivers help support children while the state works toward reunification when possible. DCFS said Illinois has 6,352 licensed foster homes and continues to recruit more families across the state. The agency also highlighted a new Relative Caregiver Certification program created under the KIND Act that expands support for relatives caring for children, contributing to Illinois ranking first in the nation for kinship care. More information is available through the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services website.