The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) and the Illinois State Board of Education are committed to keeping Illinois children safe and supporting their families, and we deeply appreciate your partnership in this effort. The beginning of the new school year is the perfect time to share some new resources from DCFS that you can use to help you in your vital role as mandated reporters.
New “Know When to Report, Know How to Support” Poster
The new DCFS poster for mandated reporters, designed to remind educators and school personnel how to report concerns about a child’s safety or health and to offer information about resources to support families, is now available. The new poster reflects our shared vision – that every child and youth in Illinois can grow and thrive in family. We know from years of research and experience that children are most likely to thrive if they can remain in families and connected to loved ones. By providing families with supportive services early on, DCFS is working towards keeping children safely with families and in their communities whenever possible.
Redesigned Mandated Reporter Training
The Illinois Mandated Reporter Training has been fully redesigned to better reflect the mission at Illinois DCFS: promoting the well-being of children, youth, and families by responding to reports of potential abuse and neglect and, when needed, providing family-centered care and connection to resources. The updated training goes beyond recognizing and reporting suspected abuse and neglect. It equips learners with tools to understand when a family needs support—not a report.
Highlights of the new training include:
A new Illinois law, the Child Abuse Notice Act (Public Act 103-0813), requires locations where children are often present to display a poster for children that explains, in easy-to-understand language, what physical, sexual and emotional abuse are and how a child can get help. The law reflects a growing collaboration among state agencies, non-profits and community partners, including DCFS, the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Illinois and MBTTT.org, to strengthen protections for children; empower children to identify abuse and get help; and reduce the stigma that often prevents victims from disclosing abuse. The No Go Zones poster is available to download from the DCFS website in English, Spanish and Polish.
Finding Support for Children and Families
If you are concerned about a child or family, there are two ways find support for them. In a non-emergency situation, visit the DCFS Online Reporting System at childabuse.illinois.gov or call the Illinois DCFS Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 1-800-25-ABUSE (800-252-2873). Calls and online reports may be made 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Learn more about making a report to Illinois DCFS and download and share the new Find Support for a Family poster in English, Spanish, and Polish.
The children who are unable to get help on their own need mandated reporters like you to be their voice, and reaching out to DCFS to ask for support for their family can change a child’s life. Thank you for your commitment to their education, safety and well-being.
If you would like free printed copies of any of the resources mentioned above mailed to your school, please send an email to [email protected].
New “Know When to Report, Know How to Support” Poster
The new DCFS poster for mandated reporters, designed to remind educators and school personnel how to report concerns about a child’s safety or health and to offer information about resources to support families, is now available. The new poster reflects our shared vision – that every child and youth in Illinois can grow and thrive in family. We know from years of research and experience that children are most likely to thrive if they can remain in families and connected to loved ones. By providing families with supportive services early on, DCFS is working towards keeping children safely with families and in their communities whenever possible.
Redesigned Mandated Reporter Training
The Illinois Mandated Reporter Training has been fully redesigned to better reflect the mission at Illinois DCFS: promoting the well-being of children, youth, and families by responding to reports of potential abuse and neglect and, when needed, providing family-centered care and connection to resources. The updated training goes beyond recognizing and reporting suspected abuse and neglect. It equips learners with tools to understand when a family needs support—not a report.
Highlights of the new training include:
- Guidance to help distinguish poverty from neglect.
- A focus on supporting families through early connections to services.
- Strategies for recognizing and addressing implicit bias.
- A trauma-informed approach to interacting with children and families.
- Clear, practical information about how and when to make a report.
A new Illinois law, the Child Abuse Notice Act (Public Act 103-0813), requires locations where children are often present to display a poster for children that explains, in easy-to-understand language, what physical, sexual and emotional abuse are and how a child can get help. The law reflects a growing collaboration among state agencies, non-profits and community partners, including DCFS, the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Illinois and MBTTT.org, to strengthen protections for children; empower children to identify abuse and get help; and reduce the stigma that often prevents victims from disclosing abuse. The No Go Zones poster is available to download from the DCFS website in English, Spanish and Polish.
Finding Support for Children and Families
If you are concerned about a child or family, there are two ways find support for them. In a non-emergency situation, visit the DCFS Online Reporting System at childabuse.illinois.gov or call the Illinois DCFS Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 1-800-25-ABUSE (800-252-2873). Calls and online reports may be made 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Learn more about making a report to Illinois DCFS and download and share the new Find Support for a Family poster in English, Spanish, and Polish.
The children who are unable to get help on their own need mandated reporters like you to be their voice, and reaching out to DCFS to ask for support for their family can change a child’s life. Thank you for your commitment to their education, safety and well-being.
If you would like free printed copies of any of the resources mentioned above mailed to your school, please send an email to [email protected].