UMCH in conjunction with the Illinois Deptartment of Children and Family Services provides a highly specialized, intensive foster care program for adolescents who live in the Southern Region of Illinois. These foster parents provide a consistent, nurturing and stable environment for teenagers.

Target Population

The Family-Supported Adolescent Foster Care program will serve male and female adolescents age 12 to 21 years, who are moving from residential treatment or need more intensive services from their current placement. To ensure quality care and better service, our focus will be within one hour of Mt. Vernon, IL.

"Partners in Care"

UMCH seeks licensed foster parents to provide services to the youth in our Family-Supported Adolescent Foster Care Program. Foster Parents will demonstrate the following abilities and qualities:

• Demonstrated success in dealing with teenagers with a history of instability and/or frequent placement changes
• Provide a highly structured environment
• Committed to providing unconditional, long term care
• Values and invests in UMCH’s commitment to providing quality care
• Committed to on-going support towards educational success and eventual independence

Benefits of being a Foster Parent

• Receive a monthly stipend compensated by UMCH (Per DCFS requirement, one professional foster parent is not allowed to accept other full-time employment, but may have part-time employment as long as it does not interfere with duties)
• Active involvement with the UMCH treatment team in making decisions that are in the best interest of the foster child.
• On-going support provided by professional staff including case manager, therapist and program administrator.

YOU can make a difference in the life of a teen that needs your support, guidance and unconditional care! Join our team and help us meet our vision of providing "Healing Today for a Brighter Tomorrow"