Local Representative Spotlights 'Youth in Transition'

A local official is bringing foster services to the forefront in honor of a special month honoring our state's youth.

National Foster Care Month comes around every May and this year, State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) is reminding residents of the 16,000 kids in Illinois' foster system.

The campaign raises awareness about youth in transition and the unique circumstances of each child in foster care. Feigenholtz encourages residents to learn more about the foster care system, consider mentoring a foster youth, or explore becoming a foster parent.

“Improving Illinois’ child welfare system is an issue that is very personal and very close to my heart as a state legislator,” said Feigenholtz, who is adopted.

“Our goal is make sure that foster care is only a temporary solution. The ultimate goal is to reunite children with their parents and their families. In cases in which reunion is not possible, we have a responsibility to make it as easy as possible for social services agencies to connect the child with a loving and stable home through adoption.”

Feigenholtz, who chairs the Adoption Reform Committee in the Illinois House, has championed landmark foster care and child welfare reform legislation that puts the child first.

In 2009, she passed legislation to extend the age that foster youth can continue to access state services from 18 to 21 to improve foster youth’s chances for successful transition into education, employment, and adulthood.

Most recently, she passed a bill to ensure that siblings in the foster care system are placed in the same home.

More information on National Foster Care Awareness month can be found on the initiative's website.

Residents interested in learning more about Illinois’ foster care system or becoming a foster parent should contact the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services at 800-572-2390.

Editor's Note: The above information was provided by the office of State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz.