Let It Be Us is very excited to work with you to find permanency for Illinois children who have a court-ordered permanency goal of Adoption or Substitute Care Pending Termination of Parental Rights. To register youth with the Adoption Listing Service of Illinois (ALSI), please complete the following forms and submit them to the Director of the Adoption Listing Service, Lindsay Perlmutter, at Lindsay.Perlmutter@illinois.gov.

Eligibility: Youth in care can only be registered with the Adoption Listing Service of Illinois if they have a court-ordered permanency goal of Adoption or Substitute Care Pending Termination of Parental Rights.

In order for the Adoption Listing Service of Illinois to match youth in care with prospective adoptive families, there are 4-5 forms that must be completed and signed by the appropriate DCFS or Agency representatives:

1. ALS-1
2. ALS-1a
3. Adoption Listing Service of Illinois Child Registration Form
4. Adoption Listing Service of Illinois Release of Information Form

If the youth has a court-ordered goal of adoption, an additional form must be completed:

1. Adoption Listing Service of Illinois Photograph Consent Form

If the child is 12 years of age or older, they also must sign:

1. Adoption Listing Service of Illinois Release of Information Form
2. Adoption Listing Service of Illinois Photograph Consent Form (if they have a goal of adoption)

To help us gain a complete understanding of the current status of the cases, we would appreciate it if you could also provide us with a copy of the court order clarifying the children’s permanency goal as well as any and all relevant information regarding the children’s cases as outlined in the Adoption Listing Service of Illinois Release of Information Form (Form #4).

This will help us ensure that no important developments are overlooked as we manage the program. We look forward to working with you and the amazing kids you represent! Please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns.

Licensed prospective adoptive families will also be registering with the Adoption Listing Service of Illinois and can inquire about children posted to the Heart Gallery. The Adoption Listing Service will also be able to compare families with all listed children to see if they may be a good match even if the family hasn’t submitted an inquiry. As such, it is vital that you fill out the forms completely and be as comprehensive as possible when providing information to enhance our ability to match a child with an appropriate prospective adoptive family. Our goal is to make this process as seamless and efficient as possible for all parties.

According to Administrative Code Title 89 Part 309 and DCFS Procedures 309: 

Workers must list a child with the Adoption Listing Service of Illinois when both of the below criteria are met:

1. The child needs an adoptive resource; and
2. A legal screening has determined that adoption is the appropriate permanency plan for the child [DCFS Procedures 309.40(b)(1)]*

*Note: ALS will permit the worker to list a child even when the child’s case does not pass legal screening or the State’s Attorney’s office will not pursue TPR due to the lack of an adoptive resource. These cases should be listed within two weeks of the legal screening / decision. [DCFS Procedures 309/40(b)(2)]

**Children should not be listed when: The current caregiver is uncertain about adopting the child; the child’s case has not “passed” legal screening (unless note above applies); the child does not need an adoptive resource; or adoption is not an appropriate goal for the child. [DCFS Procedures 309/40(b)(2)