Foster Care
Make a Difference in the Life of a Child
At Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI), the main goal of our Foster Care Program is to help children find their forever home, either by reunification with birth families whenever possible or through adoption. Foster parents play a key role and make a difference in the lives of these children.
We care for children who have been removed from their home by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) due to abuse and/or neglect. We place these children with caring foster families who receive training, licensing, and support from LSSI. Traditional Foster Care places children for longer placements while Emergency Foster Care places youth for shorter periods. LSSI’s Emergency Foster Parent Program is in six communities: Aurora, Champaign, Chicago, Marion, Rockford, and Peoria. Emergency Foster Parents serve as a vital bridge to longer-term placement, offering children the stability and long-term environment they require during challenging periods in their lives. The children in our care, and their biological parents, also receive support.
In addition to its Traditional and Emergency Foster Care programs, LSSI offers a Therapeutic Foster Care Program for children with histories of severe trauma and emotional/behavioral needs.
Working with LSSI’s child welfare staff, foster parents are part of a team offering loving, safe homes for children. Foster parents support each child’s connection to their family by helping with visits between siblings and biological parents.
Who Can Become a Foster Parent?
- Anyone over 21 years old who is stable, law-abiding, responsible, and mature; All household members 13 and older will have to pass a background check.
- Either a single person or married couples. LSSI welcomes same sex couples or LGBTQIA+ individuals who want to become foster parents.
- People with the ability to provide care, which will be determined by an evaluation of a prospective caregiver’s health, strength, and mobility
Additional Qualifications
- At least one applicant for a foster home licensure must be able to read and write at the level necessary to meet the needs of the youth in care.
- You must have a stable source of income that enables you to provide for yourself and any youth placed in your home without relying on the board payment foster care parents will receive.
- All household members must complete and pass a physical, including any required vaccinations.
- Have adequate space in your home.
- Pass a background check (state and federal).
Most importantly, LSSI seeks people with open minds, open hearts, and open homes who are committed to supporting children in their care to the best of their ability.
LSSI is the largest private provider of foster care in Illinois with a 157-year history of helping children in our state. We welcome people interested in becoming foster parents to join in our legacy of supporting children and families.
Steps to Become a Foster Parent
- Request current information about the process from LSSI. Our staff will get to know you and help guide you through the foster parent application process.
- Complete application packet (includes application forms, physical, etc.)
- Participate in PRIDE (Parent Resources for Information, Development, and Education) pre-training and any other trainings required by the state of Illinois and LSSI.
- Complete home study interviews.
- Pass a home inspection.
What Foster Parents Say
Why Become a Foster Parent?
One man shares his motivation for becoming a foster parent and the rewards it has brought him and the children he’s fostered.
Foster Parents Share Their Experiences
From becoming a licensed foster parent to actually welcoming children into their home, these foster parents share their experiences.
A Foster Parent’s Memory
A foster parent recalls the first time she welcomed her foster daughter into her home.
Foster Care Documents
News and Stories
Interested in Becoming a Foster Parent?
Fill out the form below and a recruiter will call you within 2 business days.