Illinois

NYAP in Illinois has served children, youth, and families since 1997. The Illinois program is administered through several state offices, which supports our philosophy of maintaining strong local support for our foster parents and team members.

Locations

  • 777 N. Green St

    Floors 2 & 3

    Chicago, IL 60642 

    (312) 837-3937 

  • 13101 S Baltimore Ave.
    Chicago, IL 60633
    773-270-6733

  • 356 E. 79th St

    Chicago, IL 60619        

  • 2452 W Division

    Chicago, IL 60622

    773-270-6626

  • 139 Olympia Plaza

    Chicago Heights, IL 60411

  • 955 175th St

    Homewood, IL 60430 

    (708) 747-2655 

  • 20280 Governors Drive

    Suite 303

    Olympia Fields, IL 60461

    708) 747-2859 (Main) 

    833-827-4747 (Crisis Hotline) 

  • 7620 N University St.

    Suite 109

    Peoria, IL, 61614

    309-839-8984

  • 1111 S Alpine Rd

    Ste 504

    Rockford, IL 61108

    331-701-3520 (Main) 

    833-827-4747 (Crisis Hotline) 

  • 2431 Bethany Rd.

    Unit B

    Sycamore, IL 60178

    815-517-1585

Services and Programs

Foster Parent Training
Foster Parent Training
Two smiling girls sitting on grass, one wearing a purple shirt and the other a pink shirt, with one girl having braided hair and the other braces.

Foster Care in Illinois

Inquiry Form
Inquiry Form

While foster parents are just as unique as the children and youth they care for, the most important qualifications to become a foster parent include the ability to provide a safe, loving, and nurturing home.

Foster parents may be single, married, or cohabitating couples. Prospective foster parents must be willing to participate in an in-depth home study process and work collaboratively with the licensing team to demonstrate they are:

  • In good physical and mental health.

  • Financially able to support their household without the reimbursement from being a foster parent.

  • Able to provide adequate physical space in their home to ensure a child or youth's privacy and comfort.

  • Able to provide positive references.

  • Willing to complete background checks.

  • Willing to engage in pre-service training.

  • Willing to work with multiple NYAP team members including educators, therapists, foster care case managers, and medical professionals.


National Youth Advocate Program in Illinois deeply values and is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion and seeks and welcomes a diverse community of foster parents.

Additional state qualifications:

  • At least 21 years old

  • Household members must be willing to complete background checks.

  • Cohabitating couples must be married or in a civil union.

  • Be willing to complete health documentation for all household members.

  • The primary foster parent for specialized children and youth may work no more than 20 hours per week.

Foster Parent Training Calendar

Ongoing Training
Ongoing Training

Annual Report for Illinois Licensed Adoption Agencies