Successfully Adopt an Older Child: A Life-Changing Guide

  • Foster Parent Education
  • January 23, 2026
You’ve heard the assumptions. Older children are harder to connect with. They come with too much baggage. The bond won’t be the same as raising a child from infancy. You will not be able to enjoy a child’s “first experiences in life.” These fears stop countless families from considering adoption beyond babies and toddlers, yet […]
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The Essentials of Sibling Adoption: Building Stronger Families

  • Foster Parent Education
  • January 23, 2026
Separating siblings is supposed to be the exception. Illinois law protects siblings, placing brothers and sisters together whenever doing so serves their best interests. Yet thousands of sibling groups still wait in foster care, watching families pass them over for single children. The reluctance makes sense on paper. Adopting siblings means more space, more resources, […]
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How to Obtain the Necessary Training to Become a Specialized Foster Home

  • Latest News
  • December 22, 2025
Fostering children who have experienced trauma requires specialized knowledge that goes beyond standard parenting skills. In Illinois, licensed foster parents who would like to become specialized foster parents must complete additional trauma-informed training programs designed to help them understand and respond to the unique needs of children who have survived abuse, neglect, or other traumatic […]
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Comprehensive Guide to Foster Parent Training

  • Latest News
  • December 18, 2025
You’re considering becoming a foster parent. Maybe you’ve attended an informational session, or you’re researching what the process really looks like. The training requirements probably seem overwhelming right now. Here’s the truth: foster parent training isn’t designed to intimidate you. It’s designed to prepare you for some of the hardest and most meaningful work you’ll […]
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Chicago Parent: Meet the woman helping Illinois’ foster children find the families they deserve

  • Press
  • December 1, 2025
In this feature from Chicago Parent, founder and Executive Director Dr. Susan McConnell reflects on how Let It Be Us is reshaping foster care and adoption in Illinois – from recruiting and licensing foster/adoptive families to thoughtfully matching children with forever homes. The article highlights the real-life impact of Let It Be Us’s data-driven, compassionate […]
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Let It Be Us Adoption Summit

  • Latest News
  • November 5, 2025
Recruitment and placement in adoption and foster care play significant roles in the prevention of human trafficking and in 2025 Let It Be Us will expand into Specialized Recruitment to serve this underserved population. 
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CBS News: Chicago Area Nonprofit Aims to Help Foster Kids Find Forever Homes

  • Press
  • July 10, 2025
Today, CBS Chicago spotlighted Let It Be Us following its recent $750,000 contract with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. Founded 11 years ago by Dr. Susan McConnell – an adoptive parent and social work expert – the organization leverages innovative technology and personalized matchmaking to find permanent, loving homes for the more […]
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ABC7 WLS Chicago News with Samantha Chatman

  • Press
  • June 2, 2025
During this live interview, Dr. Susan A. McConnell, Founder & Executive Director of Let It Be Us, discussed Let It Be Us, foster care and adoption, the Adoption Listing Service of Illinois, and more. Let It Be Us Founder and Executive Director, Dr. Susan McConnell, appeared on ABC7 WLS Chicago in an interview by Samantha […]
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Authority Magazine: Dr Susan A McConnell Of Let It Be Us: 5 Things You Need To Create A Successful & Effective Nonprofit That Leaves A Lasting Legacy

  • Press
  • April 11, 2025
In this feature from Authority Magazine Dr. Susan A. McConnell, founder and Executive Director of Let It Be Us, shares “5 Things You Need to Create a Successful & Effective Nonprofit That Leaves a Lasting Legacy.” The interview explores how Let It Be Us stays mission-focused, builds strong leadership and sustainable funding, collaborates with stakeholders, […]
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US 99 Chicago’s Melissa and Austin

  • Press
  • April 3, 2025
During this live interview, Dr. Susan A. McConnell, Founder & Executive Director of Let It Be Us, discussed Let It Be Us, foster care and adoption, the Be Mine Gala, and more. About Let It Be Us Let It Be Us is an Illinois 501(c)3 and licensed child welfare agency. The mission of Let It […]
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WCPT 820AM’s “Chew’s Views with Richard Chew”

  • Press
  • April 2, 2025
During this live interview, Dr. Susan A. McConnell, Founder & Executive Director of Let It Be Us, and Kaycee Coles, Board Member, discussed Let It Be Us, foster care and adoption, the Be Mine Gala, and more. About Let It Be Us Let It Be Us is an Illinois 501(c)3 and licensed child welfare agency. […]
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Cook County Chronicle: Connecting Kids to Foster Parents

  • Press
  • December 12, 2024
Carolyne Osterhues’ kids, like all siblings, have their moments. “They have fights over ‘Who ate my Flaming Hot Cheetos?’” the Tower Lakes mom said. “They are the best of friends and worst of enemies.” Unlike most siblings, however, none of them are Osterhues’ biological children. All five of Mark and Carolyne Osterhues’ children, Kyle, Colby, […]
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Why Be a Therapeutic Foster Parent With Vanessa Baie, MSW, LCSW

  • Latest News
  • November 8, 2024
Becoming a therapeutic foster parent allows you to provide a stable, supportive, nurturing home-based environment for a child that has experienced more profound trauma and needs greater support to manage their mental health and healing. Helping a child navigate and begin healing from challenging circumstances and trauma can be deeply fulfilling. Therapeutic foster parents can […]
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National Adoption Month: Osterhues Family: Opening their Hearts and Home to Children in Need of Love and Stability

  • Latest News
  • November 8, 2024
Carolyne and Mark Osterhues always planned to build a family through adoption. They considered using a domestic or international agency, but found there were challenges associated with these approaches, such as high cost, long wait times and potentially lengthy legal processes. In 2002, when a friend suggested the couple consider becoming licensed foster parents, they […]
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National Adoption Month 2025: Tracy Haufschild: Baby Girl Completes the Family

  • Latest News
  • November 5, 2024
When a child’s home life is determined to be unsafe, they are placed with a relative or licensed foster family. While foster care is designed to be temporary, reunification between children and their biological parents is not always a safe, permanent option. In those cases, the children can be permanently adopted. In 2004, Sally Haufschild […]
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Let It Be Us Receives Grant From the Ronald L. McDaniel Foundation to Host a Series of Virtual Job Fairs Designed For Young People in Foster Care and Those Recently Aged Out

  • Latest News
  • July 19, 2024
Let It Be Us has secured a grant from the Ronald L. McDaniel Foundation to host a series of Virtual Job Fairs through our Springboard to Adulthood Program. The first Virtual Job Fair will be held on September 21, 2024. This Virtual Job Fair is designed for teens and young people in or recently aged […]
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WBBM Newsradio On-Demand: Difference Maker

  • Press
  • July 2, 2024
Thousands of children enter foster care in Illinois every year. In this week’s Difference Maker, WBBM’s Lisa Fielding introduces us to a Barrington woman who’s using her own personal experience to help kids find good homes. Let It Be Us’ continued foster home recruitment efforts reach many segments of the Illinois population. About Let It […]
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NBC News: Making a Difference

  • Press
  • June 24, 2024
Let It Be Us was recently featured on NBC Chicago, showcasing our mission to connect children in foster care with loving, permanent families. Watch how we’re making a difference in the lives of kids across Illinois! About Let It Be Us Let It Be Us is an Illinois 501(c)3 and licensed child welfare agency. The […]
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Let It Be Us Announces the Formation of a New Leadership Council

  • Latest News
  • June 13, 2024
Let It Be Us is thrilled to share some groundbreaking news about a new Leadership Council  that will shape the future of our collective journey. With a commitment to collaboration, innovation, and shared leadership, we are proud to announce the establishment of our inaugural Let It Be Us Leadership Council. The first guest speaker for […]
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Country Magazine: Be Mine Gala

  • Press
  • June 2, 2024
Let It Be Us hosted an unforgettable evening celebrating its 10th anniversary at the Be Mine Gala on Friday, May 10. Emceed by Dave McKinney of WBEZ-FM, who is a licensed foster parent, and held at Walden Chicago, a beautiful event space in Chicago’s West Town neighborhood, the gala brought together approximately 250 people for […]
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Let It Be Us ‘Be Mine’ Gala Raises Over Half a Million Dollars for Illinois Foster Care and Adoption

  • Latest News
  • May 21, 2024
Left to Right, Susan McConnell, Elizabeth Felice, Robin Kelleher, Matt Hower, Vince Foglia, Jessica Canning, Doug Locke, Kaycee Coles – Missing are Carolyne Osterhues, Vinnie Foglia Let It Be Us celebrated their 10th anniversary at the 6th annual Be Mine gala, raising more than half a million dollars towards innovative solutions for Illinois foster care […]
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SW Lake Lifestyle: The Time to Adopt a Child Is Now

  • Press
  • May 16, 2024
I discovered something a few years ago that is both interesting and sad. I’m a professional photographer who for 10 years for the State of Illinois photographed children awaiting adoption. The photos were displayed in “The Heart Gallery of Illinois” to increase their chance for adoption. As an adoptive mom with a home full of […]
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WGN News: Changing The Landscape Of Foster Care & Adoption

  • Press
  • May 3, 2024
Today, WGN News highlighted how Let It Be Us is transforming foster care and adoption in Illinois. Thousands of children enter foster care in the state, and Let It Be Us is working to connect them with stable, loving families through innovative programs and outreach. About Let It Be Us Let It Be Us is […]
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Barrington Patch: Be Mine Gala to Benefit Let It Be Us

  • Press
  • May 1, 2024
Join child welfare agency Let It Be Us for an unforgettable evening celebrating its 10th anniversary at the Be Mine Gala on Friday, May 10, 2024. Beginning at 6:30 p.m. and held at Walden Chicago, a beautiful event space in Chicago’s West Town neighborhood, the event will bring together 250 people for dinner and drinks, […]
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WCPT 820AM’s “Driving it Home with Patti Vasquez”

  • Press
  • April 30, 2024
During this live, in-studio interview, Susan McConnell discussed Let It Be Us, foster care and adoption, the Be Mine Gala, and more. WCPT 820 · Driving It Home With Patti Vasquez April. 30 2024 About Let It Be Us Let It Be Us is an Illinois 501(c)3 and licensed child welfare agency. The mission of […]
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Let It Be Us Welcomes New Member of Board of Directors Robin Kelleher, Esq.

  • Latest News
  • April 29, 2024
Robin Kelleher is an accomplished transactional attorney and business owner with nearly two decades of experience. She serves as general counsel to corporations, their owners, and managers, with experience in complex contract drafting and review, commercial real estate, commercial leases, loan documentation and review, and asset purchase/sales. Robin is also proficient in matters involving intellectual […]
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Let It Be Us Receives Grant From The Barrington Area Community Foundation To Establish Corporate Sponsorship Program

  • Latest News
  • April 25, 2024
The Barrington Area Community Foundation has announced the recipients of their annual grants and Let It Be Us has been chosen to receive funding to establish a Corporate Sponsorship Program. “Our success critically relies on support from our corporate partners. We are providing corporations the opportunity to become part of our innovative initiatives intended to […]
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Let It Be Us Continues Commitment with Human Rights Campaign’s with All Children – All Families Program in 2024

  • Foster Care
  • April 8, 2024
Let It Be Us is excited to announce that the organization is continuing its commitment with the Human Rights Campaign’s (HRC) All Children – All Families Program for 2024. This membership aligns with our commitment to fostering a diverse and welcoming environment for all individuals, regardless of their background or identity.  The Human Rights Campaign’s […]
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Diligent Recruitment Data Report on Foster Home Recruitment in Illinois

  • Foster Care
  • February 27, 2024
The Let It Be Us Diligent Recruitment Data Report on Foster Home Recruitment for the month of January, 2024 is out and our team is pleased that our marketing is delivering the types of individual foster homes that we need to successfully recruit foster homes for the following types of foster care: Traditional Foster Care […]
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Let It Be Us Participates in Northwestern University Foster Care Research

  • Foster Care
  • January 22, 2024
Kendra Wright, Program Coordinator of Springboard to Adulthood and Special Families Programs, collaborated with Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine on a research artciel titled “Understanding the needs of foster parents of youth with special health care needs: Perceptions, barriers, and recommendations” featured in the Children and Youth Services Review journal on ScienceDirect.com. Highlights include: […]
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Let It Be Us provides collaborative, innovative solutions for effective recruitment and placement within Illinois foster care and adoption, working throughout the State of Illinois.

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