Illinois Implements New Child Welfare Safety Assessment Model To Guide Investigations & Family Support

Illinois' Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is changing how it responds to reports of suspected child abuse or neglect, allowing child protection specialists to assess family safety before determining whether a formal investigation is necessary. The new approach, called Forward Together, was implemented within the DCFS Division of Child Protection on July 1, 2026, and uses the Safety Assessment Family Evaluation (SAFE) Model to guide decisions. The goal is to reduce unnecessary investigations while connecting families with services that address their needs.

Previously, reports accepted for a child protection response generally proceeded directly to a formal investigation, which . . .