C - D

The foundation offers many free foster and adoption resources including guides, videos, research, posters, ect. The Dave Thomas Foundation began in 1991 as a public charity by the Wendy's founder. Today it is highly involved in adoption awareness and creating happy, loving homes for foster children.

The site contains thorough research on the current programs, the future of foster care, and other important topics. The organization also houses trending news on all topics relating to foster care in the United States.

The organization was founded in 1984 and offers a range of community-based programs as well as services that place children and youth in safe, nurturing home environments. Today, the organization serves over 4,113 children and families annually throughout Cook, Lake and DuPage counties. Their site offers numerous porgrams for families, volunteer opportunities, and resources on the subject.

Child Welfare Information Gateway promotes the safety, permanency, and well-being of children and families by connecting child welfare, adoption and related professionals as well as concerned citizens to timely, essential information.

A service of the Children's Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, we provide access to print and electronic publications, websites, and online databases covering a wide range of topics from prevention to permanency, including child welfare, child abuse and neglect, adoption, search and reunion, and much more.

Established in 1985, Chapin Hall is an independent policy research center whose mission is to build knowledge that improves policies and programs for children and youth, families, and their communities.

The mission of Cabrini Connections is to engage workplace adults in structured activities that make a life-changing difference for youth living in economically and educationally disadvantaged neighborhoods. The organization's vision is for every child who joins a tutor/mentor program in middle school to be starting a career of his or her choice by age 25.

A resource to find statistical information regarding youth in adoption and fostering programs based on state.

An online directory of adoption and foster care agencies with reviews and reports.

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Cook County is a non-profit organization which advocates for the best interests of abused and neglected children within the court system. Based on the belief that every child is entitled to a safe and permanent home, CASA of Cook County recruits, trains and supervises community volunteers who work in collaboration with key agencies, legal counsel, and community resource groups. Currently, over 6,000 children in Cook County are involved in Juvenile Court due to physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect or abandonment. CASA volunteers help these children by gathering vital information on which judges rely to make critical decisions affecting the child's future. For more information, please contact Shannon Hodge at 312-433-4928 or info@casacookcounty.org. For information on becoming involved with a CASA program near you, please contact Illinois Association of CASA Executive Director, Ruth Lane at 217-528-0275 or ruth@illinoiscasa.org.

Connect for Kids makes the best use of communications technologies, specifically the Internet, to give adults (parents, grandparents, guardians, educators, advocates, policymakers, elected officials and others) the tools and information they need to improve the lives of children, youth and families.