Spring is on its way, and with it comes a fresh season of growth, connection, and new beginnings for our post-adoption and guardianship community. We’re excited to share resources and ideas to help your family bloom in the months ahead.
Current and former youth in care, apply NOW for the Illinois DCFS 2026 Scholarship Program! 53 scholarships will be awarded, including four to children of veterans. Recipients receive tuition and academic fee waivers to be used at participating Illinois community colleges and universities, a monthly grant to offset other expenses, and a medical card. The application deadline is March 31. Please APPLY EARLY to allow time for DCFS to review and request additional documentation if needed. Scan the code to access the application.
Public Act 101-180 requires that public high school students must complete the FAFSA or, as eligible, the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid, as a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma. Free Application for Federal Student Aid: https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid: https://studentportal.isac.org/en/alternativeapp
United Way of Champaign County, Birth-5 Illinois, and the Champaign County Home Visiting Consortium are offering free developmental screenings for children from birth to five years old. These screenings assess communication, social, and motor skills to help families track their child’s development.
Screenings will be available at multiple locations across Champaign County on the following dates:
• Urbana – Every Tuesday & Friday
• Rantoul – April 9
• Mahomet – March 12 & April 9
• St. Joseph – April 23
• Philo – April 24
• Thomasboro – April 28
• Tolono Public Library – April 2 (Walk-ins accepted)
Families Rising presented a webinar on “Adoption Tax Credit”. If you are interested in additional information, please email Jennifer at jpollard@cyfsolutions.org
Jockey Being Family
Jockey offers several training courses and resources for free. Jockey donates personalized backpacks for each one of the children who are adopted or guardianship.
• 30 free in-demand webinars
• Free Adopted Online learning
• Informational Support Articles
• Podcasts
Website: https://www.jockeybeingfamily.com/parent-resources/
“Gather and Grow” is an opportunity to engage in a conversation over a cup of coffee with your Post- Adoption Specialist. This is a chance for us to discuss difficulties and challenges you might be facing, a place to celebrate your successes, and a place to build our relationship with one another.
Our first one will take place on March 18th from 9-11am
Panera Location: 2515 W Lake St. Peoria, IL 61604
Please RSVP at jpollard@cyfsolutions.org
PEORIA ZOO - GLOW WILD LANTERN FESTIVAL
Festival Details:
• Location: Peoria Zoo – 2320 N. Prospect Rd., Peoria, IL
• Dates: Fridays through Sundays, March 1 – April 27
• Times: 5:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. (entrance closes 8:30 p.m.)
GALESBURG – CYFS EASTER EGG HUNT AT LAKE STOREY
• Date: March 27th 5-7 pm
This FREE community event will be filled with egg hunting, games, crafts, smiles, and springtime fun! Egg hunt starts at 5:15 pm and continues until eggs are gone, fun lasts the whole time.
SPRINGFIELD – STEM SATURDAY
Location: Illinois State Museum
Dates: March 14th and April 11th
Times: 9:30am – noon
Free days for Illinois residents with ID:
• April 19
• June 4, 19
AQUARIUM (CHICAGO)
We offer several reservation options for Free Hours. For those who prefer to plan ahead, online ticket reservations are available with a $5 convenience fee per order. Alternatively, you can reserve tickets by phone with no convenience fee by calling 312-939-2438 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Central Time (CT). We also provide free walk-up reservations; however, these are subject to availability and typically sell out quickly.
2026 Free Nights (5 p.m. - 9 p.m.)
• March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
• April 7, 14, 21, 28
• May 5, 12, 19, 26
• June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
SENSORY EGG HUNT/ PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Where: Prairie Farm, Champaign
Date: 03/28/2026, Time: 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
CYFS is offering two Training Tuesday sessions this month, both eligible for DCFS training credit. The Foster Parent Roundtable is reserved for CYFS foster parents, while the Training Tuesday workshop is open to anyone interested. Event details are also available on our CYFS Facebook page, and participants may join through the links provided or directly through Facebook.
For CYFS Foster Parents Only — DCFS Training Credit Available
Foster Parent training
Open to All — DCFS Training Credit Available
THIS SESSION WILL EXPLORE:
• What emotional regulation is and why it matters
• How to identify emotional triggers
• Responding vs. reacting to behaviors
• Supporting youth through frustration, conflict, and disappointment Trainer
FOR QUESTIONS, CONTACT:
Liz Sekowski
esekowski@cyfsolutions.org
VIEW PAST TRAININGS
Access previously recorded sessions at
• Transportation Services
ɥ Medically – necessary appointments
ɥ Visitation for biological family/sibling visits
ɥ Cultural events
• Assistance with After School Care
• Three Free School Uniforms Every Year
• Free Gym Membership at Select Locations
• Blueberry Pediatrics (24/7 pediatric telehealth)
• Teladoc (Behavioral Health 18+ and General Medical and Dermatology: All ages)
• Brave Health for 13+ (Individual and Group Psychotherapy, Psychiatric Medication Management)
• 24/7 Nurse Advice Care Line
• Mobile Crisis Response Providers
• My Health Pays Rewards
ɥ Earn rewards after completing health activities such as yearly exams
ɥ Reward dollars are added to the rewards card after the claim is processed for each activity completed
ɥ After earning your first reward, a My Health Pays Visa Prepaid Card will be mailed to your address.
Contact:
Rapid Response Team – ilyouthcare@centene.com
Member Services – 1-844-289-2264 (M-F from 8:00am – 6:00pm)
Do you have questions for YouthCare?
Do you have any questions or comments about your child’s YouthCare insurance? Would you be interested in attending a Q&A with someone from YouthCare to ask questions and get some answers? Please let Jennifer Pollard know. If we get enough interest, we will be hosting a Q&A session soon!
If you have moved or in the event of the death of a caregiver, please remember you need to contact your DCFS Post Adoption Specialist. We would also like to be contacted as well. Message Jennifer Pollard at jpollard@cyfsolutions.org or 309-323-6569