Law Offices of Michelle M Hughes, P.C.

06/05/2026

Is your child or has your child been a youth in care? This program is available to them in Illinois https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=126652 This program is not exclusively for kids who were /are in DCFS.

"Illinois Youth Investment Program (CSFA # 444-80-2377)
The Illinois Youth Investment Program (IYIP) is a multi-faceted approach to youth employment that invests in the future of Illinois' at-risk transition-age youth (16-24). This approach to youth employment accounts for the youth's employment barriers as well as the physical, emotional, social, and mental health needs while helping them to secure and sustain long-term and/or career employment thereby ensuring a greater likelihood of success and self-sufficiency. The Department has identified four program categories designed to take into account various stages of a youth's employment readiness and employment needs. This multi-faceted approach allows providers to consider programming and services best suited to meet the needs of youth. Providers may implement programming under a single program category, or multiple program categories. The four program categories are as follows:

Category I - Short-term, Summer Employment
(Work-based Learning; Career Development Experience; and Pre-Apprenticeship programs)
Category II - Targeted Long-term Employment
(Targeted long-term employment and Youth Apprenticeship programs)
Category III - Career Development - Industry-linked Long-term Employment
(Registered Apprenticeship; Non-Registered Apprenticeship; and Recognized Postsecondary Credentials (Industry-Linked Credentials, Certifications, or Licenses))
Category IV - Expansion of Industry-Linked Career Development Opportunities
(Registered Apprenticeships; Non-Registered Apprenticeships; Youth Apprenticeships; and Recognized Postsecondary Credentials (Industry-Linked Credentials, Certifications, or Licenses))"

The Illinois Youth Investment Program (IYIP) is a multi-faceted approach to youth employment that invests in the future of Illinois' at-risk transition-age youth (16-24). This approach to youth employment accounts for the youth's employment barriers as well as the physical, emotional, social, and me...

03/03/2026

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/questions-and-answers-about-refundability-and-recognizing-indian-tribal-governments-for-purposes-of-making-a-special-needs-determination-for-the-adoption-tax-credit

The IRS put out a new FAQ on the Adoption Tax Credit.

FS-2026-03, February 2026 — This Fact Sheet provides answers to frequently asked questions about refundability and Special Needs Determinations made by Indian tribal governments for the Adoption Tax Credit.

02/28/2026

“DCFS reports more than 4,800 children entered foster care last year statewide. In Cook and collar counties when looking at traditional foster homes, those who are outside of the child's family, there are more white licensed foster home than African American foster homes. But, there are more African American children in foster care then White children.

"There is room for everybody and there is a need for more African Americans and people of color to foster children," Dr. Phillips said.

"I don't think they realize how blessed they would be if they just opened up their hearts to someone else's child," Fultz said.

DCFS welcomes all Illinoisans to consider being foster parents.”

DCFS is urgently seeking more foster parents willing to share their home and their love, especially more families of color.

02/27/2026

Informative report from University of Illinois school of social work regarding racial disparity in Illinois child welfare. Lots of stats to dig through in the report.

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The Children and Family Research Center is pleased to release the FY2025 Report in Response to HB2914 and an Executive Summary. Illinois House Bill 2914 (HB2914) requires the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services to submit an annual report regarding racial disproportionalities for children and families involved in the Illinois child welfare system for several critical decision-points and outcomes.
The findings of the report pinpoint several areas of concern in FY2025:
• At the state level, Black children were over-represented across all stages of investigations, with a racial disproportionality index (RDI) of 2.17 for investigations, 2.32 for protective custodies, and 2.39 for substitute care entries.
• When the investigation indicators were examined by the type of maltreatment, the amount of over-representation for Black children varied considerably, with the highest RDI for investigations involving lack of supervision/lock out (RDI = 2.68).
• At the subregion level, the Aurora subregion showed the highest disproportionality for Black children in protective custodies (RDI = 3.88), followed by Champaign (RDI = 3.07) and Marion (RDI = 3.02).
• For the placement type indicators, state-level findings revealed that Black children were over-represented in specialized foster care (RDI = 1.28) and congregate care (RDI = 1.21). White and Latinx children were under-represented in congregate care placements.
• The length-of-stay indicators measured the amount of time children spend in substitute care before achieving permanence. At the state level, Black children were under-represented among children who remained in care for less than four years and over-represented among children who remained in care for 60 months or more (RDI = 1.31).
• The permanency indicators assessed the likelihood of children exiting substitute care through reunification, adoption, or guardianship. State-level results showed that Black children were under-represented in achieving permanence through reunification (RDI = 0.87), adoption (RDI = 0.82), and all three types of permanence combined (RDI = 0.86).
The report concluded with a list of recommended actions that the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services can take to address the over-representation of Black children in the child welfare system.

02/16/2026

"Parenting after adoption brings new questions, new conversations and new challenges as children grow. Supporting Your Adopted Child: A Parenting Toolkit is a FREE, interactive event designed to equip adoptive families with practical tools, insight and community — no matter where you are in your parenting journey.

Join Beth Hall at The Cradle adoption agency for education and community.
• Beth Hall, Director of Development (Pact, an Adoption Alliance), will focus on supporting transracial and BIPOC adoptive families, with special attention to identity development at the intersection of race and adoption, as well as the lifelong tasks for adoptees and their caregivers.
• Carmen Knight, Community Engagement Specialist (The Cradle), will share practical tips and tools for supporting adopted children as they grow, addressing common behaviors, developmental shifts and adoption-related questions that often emerge over time.
• Special Funding for Families to Attend Pact Family Camp 2026 Beth will highlight a special funding offer for families with children under 10 years old to attend Pact Family Camp 2026, as well as other educational and support opportunities Pact offers.
"

Parenting after adoption brings new questions, new conversations and new challenges as children grow. Supporting Your Adopted Child: A Parenting

02/12/2026

https://adoptioncouncil.org/article/adoption-financial-resources/

Whether you're interested in adoption grants or loans, explore some of the resources available to prospective adoptive parents.

02/12/2026

https://adoptioncouncil.org/publications/a-guide-to-adoption-subsidies-and-assistance-for-adoptive-parents/

A guide to adoption subsidies and adoption assistance for adoption from foster care or adopting a baby in the U.S.

02/12/2026

https://adoptioncouncil.org/article/adoption-tax-credit-questions/

How much is the adoption tax credit, what is the difference between a credit and a deduction, and other common questions are answered here.