Program areas at Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois
Foster Care - LCFS supervises the care of approximatley 2,167 children whom the State of Illinois has removed from their biological homes because of abuse or neglect. LCFS identifies, trains, and licenses foster parents and provides ongoing training and home visits to ensure the well-being of each child in care.
Camp Wartburg is a children's summer camp and year-round retreat center owned and operated by LCFS. Its mission is to provide an outdoor Christian ministry where people can encounter God and His creation. FY23 Camp was visited by 5,954 youth and individuals for retreats and outdoor education.
Residential - LCFS is committed to helping children and youth especially those who are at risk. Southern Thirty Adolescent Center (STAC) is the residential program for youth who need specialized help, providing services as a 30-day shelter and diagnostic program for adolescents aged 11-17. STAC provides emergency shelter care, clinical assessments, counseling and family intervention. FY23 provided emergency shelter for 45 youth.
Home Based Services - LCFS provides a variety of home-based services to strengthen families and prevent child abuse and neglect, such as intact family recover, housing advocacy, family prevention/reunification, teen pregnancy counseling, extended family support, and unified delinquency intervention services. 233 at-risk families were strengthened through preventative services.
Adoption - LCFS assists families in adopting children domestically and internationally and provides care and counseling to pregnant women considering adoption for their children. FY23 saw 180 adoptions to forever homes.
Family Counseling - LCFS operates a wide range of programs throughout Illinois that support and serve families and children so the family can remain together. LCFS has counselors throughout Illinois who can help with specialized care to individuals and families facing difficult situations. These programs help identify and use family strengths to enhance family functioning and improve parental and child care performance. 71 individuals and families were supported through counseling services.