Indicators

Indicators refer to a series of critical steps in the child welfare system. These steps are analyzed in the B.H. Consent Decree Report to better understand inequities in the Illinois child welfare system.

• Investigations: Reports of abuse or neglect are collected by the DCFS hotline, and a subset of these reports are selected for investigation. As part of an investigation, DCFS will assess whether a child is in danger. If DCFS judges that the child is unsafe, they will create a safety plan to lessen those dangers.
• Negelct/Abuse Indicated: When an investigation concludes that a child was abused or neglected, this is also referred as a finding of indicated maltreatment. (If the investigation concludes otherwise, the investigation is labeled "not indicated.")
• Placed in Care: After an indicated investigation, some children are placed in substitute care. Substitute care can include traditional foster care, a placement with family members, or a group home.
• Remain in Care: The Illinois child welfare system tries to place children in a permanent home as quickly as possible. However, some children remain in care for a long period of time.
• Reunification: Children return to their parents
• Adoption: Children are cared for by adoptive parents. Adoptive parents have the same legal rights as biological parents, and the rights of biological parents are terminated when a child is adopted.
• Guardianship: Children are cared for by guardians, who are granted permanent custody. However, the rights of biological parents do not need to be terminated.