Founded in 1976, Youth Service Bureau of Illinois Valley (YSB) is a nonprofit Child Welfare Agency headquartered in Ottawa, Illinois, serving children and families throughout the Northern Region of Illinois. What makes YSB unique is its comprehensive, community-based approach to strengthening families and supporting vulnerable youth. In addition to foster care and adoption-related services, YSB provides counseling, family preservation services, juvenile justice programs, crisis intervention for runaway and homeless youth, and bilingual services for Spanish-speaking families. With a presence across approximately 20 counties, YSB is committed to helping children and families thrive in their homes, schools, and communities.

YSB offers foster parents comprehensive support, specialized resources, registered nurse support, medical and health care guidance, wrap around support and guidance, and specialized care options. 

Children in foster care face many challenges. One of the biggest challenges is the disruption they experience when they have to leave the home where they’ve been living, whether with biological or foster family. The Specialized Foster Care Program aims to provide children placements so they receive the special kind of care and safe environment that a well-supported foster home can provide.

Specialized Foster Care

Youth Service Bureau of Illinois Valley is seeking caring, committed adults to foster children and teens who need additional support due to behavioral, emotional, developmental, or medical needs. Let It Be Us currently recruits families in communities throughout Northern and North Central Illinois, including:

• Boone County — Belvidere
• Bureau County — Princeton, Spring Valley
• Carroll County — Savanna, Mount Carroll
• DeKalb County — DeKalb, Sycamore, Sandwich
• DuPage County — Naperville, Wheaton, Elmhurst
• Grundy County — Morris
• Jo Daviess County — Galena, East Dubuque
• Kane County — Aurora, Elgin, St. Charles, Geneva
• Kendall County — Yorkville, Oswego, Plano
• Lee County — Dixon, Amboy
• LaSalle County — Ottawa, Streator, Peru, LaSalle
• Marshall County — Henry, Lacon
• McHenry County — Crystal Lake, McHenry, Woodstock, Harvard
• Ogle County — Rochelle, Oregon, Byron
• Putnam County — Hennepin, Granville
• Stark County — Wyoming
• Stephenson County — Freeport
• Whiteside County — Sterling, Rock Falls, Morrison
• Will County — Joliet, Naperville, Plainfield, Lockport
• Winnebago County — Rockford, Loves Park, South Beloit

Specialized foster parents provide the stability, patience, and consistency children need to heal and thrive. Families receive additional training and work closely with Youth Service Bureau of Illinois Valley’s experienced team throughout the placement.

Why Foster With Youth Service Bureau of Illinois Valley?

Youth Service Bureau of Illinois Valley foster parents are never expected to do this work alone. Specialized foster families receive ongoing support from dedicated caseworkers and licensing staff, training tailored to the needs of children in their care, and connections to behavioral, educational, medical, and community resources.

Youth Service Bureau of Illinois Valley also has a Registered Nurse on staff to provide additional support for children with medical needs.

Who Can Become a Specialized Foster Parent?

Foster parents can be single or married, own or rent their home, and must be at least 21 years old. You don’t need to have all the answers – you need the willingness to learn, work as part of a team, and provide a child with a safe, stable, and supportive home.

Make a Difference

Children in specialized foster care need adults who can see their strengths, understand their needs, and remain committed through challenges.

Let It Be Us and Youth Service Bureau of Illinois Valley can help you take the first step toward becoming a Specialized Foster Parent.