Lake County Department of Job and Family Services - Substitute Care Unit

Children come into the custody of the Lake County Department of Job & Family Services due a crisis which resulted in the child being a victim of abuse, neglect or dependency. If the child cannot be placed safely with a relative, the Lake County Department of Job & Family Services is responsible for providing a safe environment for that child. It is the philosophy of the Department that children grow better in families therefore our primary goal is to find foster care providers who are willing to provide temporary care to children while their families are in crisis. Foster parents provide care until reunification with a family member can occur. If reunification is unable to occur children would become eligible for adoption and either remain with their foster parents who make a permanent commitment to care for the child or an adoptive home is secured. The Substitute Care Unit is responsible for recruiting and licensing foster parents and approving adoptive parents.