Children & Family Services Department - Jacksonville, Illinois

Introduction

The Children & Family Services Department, located at 1122 Wall St in Jacksonville, IL, is a critical component of the Illinois state's social services network. This government agency plays a pivotal role in supporting, protecting, and enhancing the well-being of children, families, and communities across the region. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the main services provided by this department, its location and accessibility, featured characteristics, practical information, and positive aspects highlighted in reviews.

Main Services

• Child Protective Services: The department is dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of children by investigating reports of abuse, neglect, and exploitation. They work closely with families to provide support and services, and when necessary, arrange for the child's temporary placement in a safe and nurturing environment.
• Family Reunification: The primary goal of the department is to reunify children with their families whenever possible. They provide services such as parenting classes, substance abuse treatment, and mental health counseling to help families address the issues that led to the removal of their children and work towards reunification.
• Adoption and Foster Care: When reunification is not possible, the department focuses on finding permanent, loving homes for children through adoption or long-term foster care. They recruit, train, and support foster and adoptive families to ensure children grow up in safe, nurturing environments.
• Independent Living Services: For older youth in foster care, the department provides independent living services to help them transition successfully to adulthood. These services include life skills training, educational support, employment assistance, and housing assistance.
• Preventive Services: The department offers preventive services to strengthen families and communities, such as parenting education, family support groups, and substance abuse treatment. These services aim to prevent child abuse and neglect by promoting healthy family functioning and connections to community resources.

Location and Access

The Children & Family Services Department is located at 1122 Wall St, Jacksonville, IL 62650, in the heart of the city's downtown area. The building is easily accessible from major thoroughfares such as US Highway 67 and Illinois Route 121. The department is situated near several public transportation stops, including the Jacksonville Transit Center, which is approximately a 10-minute walk away.

For those who prefer to drive, there is a wheelchair-accessible car park available on-site, providing ample parking space for visitors. The building itself is also wheelchair-accessible, with a ramp leading to the main entrance, ensuring that all individuals can access the services they need.

Featured Characteristics

• Multilingual Staff: The department employs multilingual staff to ensure that all families, regardless of their primary language, can access services and receive the support they need.
• Cultural Competency: The department is committed to providing culturally competent services that respect the unique needs and backgrounds of the families they serve. They strive to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for all individuals.
• Community Collaboration: The department works closely with local community organizations, schools, and healthcare providers to coordinate services and ensure that families have access to a comprehensive network of support.
• 24/7 Availability: The department's hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to receive reports of child abuse and neglect. Additionally, crisis intervention services are available around the clock to provide immediate support to families in need.

Practical Information

• Phone Number: You can reach the Children & Family Services Department at 217-479-4800 for general inquiries or to make an appointment.
• Website: For more information about the department's services, resources, and initiatives, visit their website at state.il.us.
• Hours of Operation: The department's office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. However, as mentioned earlier, some services, such as the hotline and crisis intervention, are available 24/7.
• wheelchairs: The department provides wheelchair-accessible facilities, including a car park and entrance, to ensure that all individuals can access their services.

Positive Aspects from Reviews

With an average rating of 2 out of 5 stars on Google My Business, the Children & Family Services Department has received 13 reviews from the public. While the overall rating may indicate room for improvement, several positive aspects are worth highlighting:

• Competent and Caring Staff: Several reviewers commended the department's staff for their professionalism, kindness, and genuine concern for the well-being of the families they serve. One reviewer noted, "The staff was very helpful and made a difficult situation as comfortable as possible."
• Efficient Services: Some reviewers praised the department for their efficient handling of cases and prompt response to inquiries. One individual commented, "I was impressed with how quickly my case was addressed and resolved."
• Comprehensive Support: A few reviewers appreciated the wide range of services offered by the department, stating that they found the resources and support they needed to navigate challenging situations.

While the department's overall rating may not be exemplary, the positive aspects highlighted in these reviews demonstrate that there are many dedicated professionals working to improve the lives of children and families in the Jacksonville area.

👍 Reviews of Children & Family Services Department

Nancy A.

1/5

These people don't do there job. Jenna won't return my call. I haven't seen my granddaughter in 6 weeks and I raised her for 5 years and saved her and her sister from their mother. They don't care abouty grandparents rights. They don't care what it is doing to my
granddaughter. The neighbors miss her. I talked to Jenna and Megan supervisor but she is good for nothing too. None of them even have kids. They just walk right in my house send take her kicking and screaming. I'm getting a lawyer. I go to theCrisis center for counseling because of their abuse.

Kelsey N.

1/5

If i could give this place zero stars i would! This place is a damn joke. They allowed someone who was not even a legal foster parent to come and take away my nieces from their grandmother who they were safe with. They dont care about the children especially allowing them to live with someone who thinks its okay to reproduce with their own family members. This place needs to be shut down

Darlene P.

1/5

This whole company is a JOKE! I have sooooo much I can say on these people it isn’t even funny. I can make a book from it all. Let’s just say, they don’t want to do their job right! I will also say this, I DO NOT TRUST ANYONE THAT IS DCFS OR CPS!

Rayne D.

4/5

The staff should be commended for their patience, save one member and we all know who she is. People do not respect the line for waiting, and the stafg never corrects them for hovering around you impatiently while you try to not tell everyone in the world the details of your personal life.

TrAshley B.

1/5

Can't ever speak to a "supervisor". Unorganized and far less than average care for actually protecting children.

Bobbie T.

5/5

Kelly Myers was very very understanding and listened to my fears for my children

Porky H.

1/5

Bad people

Ryan M. (.

5/5