YSB Needs Foster Families in Bureau County!

Youth Service Bureau of Illinois Valley manages foster care placements for over 600 children throughout northern Illinois, including Bureau County, and they are in need of more foster families.

Every child deserves a safe, loving home. Foster families play a vital role in providing stability and support during difficult times.

There are many misconceptions about foster parenting.

• Myth – all foster placements lead to adoption.
  
• Fact – In most cases, foster care is temporary until children can be reunited with their families.
  
• Myth – you have to be a young married couple to be foster parents.
  
• Fact - Foster parents come in all forms - single, married, divorced, or in a partnership, and are all ages. What matters most is providing a safe and nurturing home for a child in need.
  
• Myth – You can’t be a foster parent if you work full time.
  
• Fact - Many foster parents work full time. YSB will help you navigate childcare, schooling, and other supports.
  
• Myth – You can’t be a foster parent because you’d get too attached.
  
• Fact - It’s true, saying goodbye is hard. But knowing you’ve changed a child’s life forever makes it worth it.
  

You don’t need to be perfect to be a great foster parent, just ready to offer a caring environment. Whether single, married, older, or younger, you can make a life-changing impact. Training, resources, and ongoing support are available to guide you through the process.

When asked why someone should become a foster family, Director of Child Welfare Cathy Zeier says, “As a foster parent, you will make a lifelong impact in a child’s life. Open your heart and home to a child in need and watch them thrive.”

Contact fostercare@ysbiv.org, or call Kim at 815-431-3049 to learn more about how to begin your fostering journey today and make a lasting difference in a child’s life.

Youth Service Bureau

424 W. Madison St.

Ottawa, IL 61350

Ph: 815-433-3953

Email: contactus@ysbiv.org