DCFS Family First program helps place fewer kids in child welfare system

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is trying to help more families stay together and place fewer kids into the child welfare system.

The state's Family First program is up and running after several years of planning for the early intervention services. In fact, 771 families received prevention services during Fiscal Year 2023. The agency has expanded coverage to 74 of Illinois' 102 counties as well.

DCFS Family First Administrator Melissa Box told WAND News that the agency would like to see every family have access to childcare and extra money for medical or personal emergencies.

"When we live in a world where most families don't have access to those things, they need the community that they live in and the state that they live in to help them out when things get hard," said Box.

The Family First Prevention Services Act became a federal law in 2018 to allow states to claim 50% reimbursement for services promoting family reunification, stability and permanency.

Box said the program allows DCFS to provide home visits, early intervention, therapy and other outpatient mental health care, and trauma-focused services. She believes the program gives children and families a sense of stability and security.

"We know that when you read about DCFS, it's not always good stories," Box said. "There's court cases and there's headlines. Typically, what ends up in court and what ends up in a newspaper as a headline is not the best news. We also have thousands of people working every day for families in really successful ways."

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services — The Auditor General's office found DCFS did not comply with several sections of the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act from July 2022 to June 2024.

The Family First program is only available to people referred to the child welfare system through a hotline call that leads to an investigation. DCFS can then offer intact family services.

"In order to best provide these services, we have to have the resources to maintain the infrastructure that we have to support families as we refer them to local providers," Box added.

Box said state lawmakers can help improve the Family First program by encouraging more collaboration between state agencies to make it easier for kids and families to receive services.