Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI)?

Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) is one of the largest faith-based social service providers in Illinois and the statewide social ministry organization of the three Illinois synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). LSSI is focused on helping people of all ages make important changes and address critical needs in their lives.

What is LSSI’s Mission Statement?

Responding to the Gospel, Lutheran Social Services of Illinois brings healing, justice and wholeness to people and communities.

When was LSSI founded?

Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) traces its beginnings to 1867 when the Lutheran Home for Children, an orphanage, was founded in Andover, Illinois.

What services does LSSI provide?

LSSI’s programs foster self-sufficiency in people — agency staff work with clients to help them create better lives. LSSI provides: foster care, adoption services, pregnancy counseling, Head Start programs, child care services, services for at-risk families, residential services for youth, counseling and mental health services, substance abuse treatment, residential programs for adults with developmental disabilities, affordable housing and other community services for older adults and individuals with disabilities, nursing care and rehabilitation, and programs for prisoners and their families. See the Service Overview page for a summary of LSSI’s services.

Who does LSSI serve?

LSSI helps people of all ages, races, incomes and religions. In Fiscal Year 2007, LSSI served 56,952 people. Eighty percent of LSSI’s primary clients make $15,000 or less annually — 49 percent of those individuals earn less than $5,000 — and many of these households included young children.

Where does LSSI offer its services?

The programs are provided in 44 communities across Illinois at 189 program sites. LSSI’s clients are evenly distributed through the three regions/synods of the state: Metro Chicago, Northern Illinois and Central/Southern Illinois. Some of the programs are concentrated within one of the three regions. For example, the majority of LSSI’s substance abuse treatment programs are found in the Chicago area, while the majority of LSSI’s community-based services for seniors are in northern Illinois, and the Building Homes: Rebuilding Lives program (for incarcerated men and youth) is located at prisons in central and southern Illinois. To find out where a specific service is located, click on the “find us” link at the top of the home page and then choose the specific service you’re interested in from the drop-down menu.

What is LSSI’s annual budget?

LSSI’s annual budget is approximately $100 million. Click here for a link to the current annual report.

How much of LSSI’s budget is spent on administrative costs?

Ten percent of LSSI’s budget is used for administrative expenses.

Where does LSSI’s funding come from?

The majority of LSSI’s revenue comes from government contracts to provide services to people who are economically disadvantaged and/or who have disabilities. Other essential funding for LSSI’s services comes from the United Way, ELCA synods and congregations, individuals, businesses and foundations. For more information, go to the current annual report. To learn about opportunities to give, go to the Give A Gift page.

How many people provide LSSI’s services?

LSSI has 2,200 employees statewide. The LSSI Fact Sheet has more information about the agency.

Is LSSI accredited and licensed?

Yes. LSSI is accredited by the Council on Accreditation for Children & Family Services (COA), Inc. and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). LSSI is licensed by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS), the Illinois Department of Public Health, the Illinois Office of Banks and Real Estate, and the City of Chicago Department of Revenue.

LSSI Professional Affiliations

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