CASA Kane County launches collaborative effort to reduce number of children in foster care

In response to a dramatic increase in children entering foster care, CASA Kane County has announced the formation of a Cross-County Advisory Council — a powerful collaboration among community leaders and organizations committed to strengthening support for children and families in Kane County and beyond.

“Last year, we shared our belief that maintaining the status quo should not be acceptable,” said Jim Di Ciaula, executive director of CASA Kane County. “We have a responsibility — and an opportunity — to change the trajectory for children and families in our community.”

In 2024 alone, CASA Kane County served nearly 700 children — about double the number served five years ago, in 2019.

“We’ve refined our aspirational vision to significantly reduce the number of children in foster care and improve the overall well-being of our community,” Di Ciaula said. “This is no small task — it’s complex and will take time — but we believe it’s possible, and worth it. We’re taking action to rally the broader community and ensure everyone understands what’s at stake for our children.”

The newly established advisory council includes representatives from health care, education, legal services, child welfare, law enforcement, and nonprofit organizations. Together, they are working to identify and eliminate barriers that prevent families from accessing critical support early -- before intervention becomes necessary.

“As a council, we're working together to look at the challenges that our community members are facing, so really addressing what are the barriers to access to services and resources,” said Laura Poss, executive director of TriCity Family Services.

Laura Oswald, CASA Kane County Board member and CASA/GAL volunteer, added, “It’s about getting to families at their point of need — early enough to truly make a difference then instead of having to fix it later.”

The initiative is centered on prevention, education, and early intervention, with a commitment to long-term, sustainable change.

“Once we start recognizing the problem, we can all be part of the solution,” said Lucy Rivera, advocate supervisor at CASA Kane County. “The more visible and accessible our resources are, the more likely families will be to reach out and utilize them.”

This council was formed after months of conversations with key stakeholders across the region, including leaders in education, health care, law enforcement, and social services.

“Raising awareness of the challenges within child welfare has been essential,” Di Ciaula said. “We knew that to effect real change, we had to build a network of dedicated, passionate leaders ready to work together.”

An early-stage priority for the council is to identify and connect existing programs, services, and initiatives that offer families access to essential resources and positive life experiences. This effort is focused not only on early intervention and prevention, but also on equipping youth with the tools and relationships needed for long-term independence.

“As a community, we need to reduce the complexity and simplify ease of access to these critical components of the system,” Di Ciaula said.

The vision for this initiative closely aligns with DCFS’ statewide transformation efforts, which focus on family-centered solutions and community-based support.

“We are encouraged by our growing collaboration with DCFS,” Di Ciaula said. “Together, we can build a system that prioritizes prevention and supports families so they can thrive.”

Local leaders see the potential for this approach to set a new standard for communities across the country.

“Though the challenges (facing the children and families in our community) are complex, it’s within our power to make measurable improvements,” said Michael Isaacson, executive director of the Kane County Health Department.

Brian Knetl, president of Waubonsee Community College, noted the importance of proactive education: “We can provide the preventative resources and the education to families and children. We can successfully reduce the number of children in foster care and help youth transition into lives of independence.”

Support also comes from the highest levels of child welfare leadership, including Heidi E. Miller, director of DCFS, who praised the collaboration: “When all partners in the child welfare system work together, we become stronger and are able to do more to ensure young people can grow and thrive.”

Tara Perry, CEO of National CASA/GAL, called the Kane County initiative “crucial,” adding, “This goal aligns with our national vision and could serve as a model for communities across the country.”

The initiative’s message is clear: community collaboration is essential to systemic change. As Oswald put it, “This isn’t a band-aid solution. This is about truly changing the landscape for generations to come.”

It’s also important for children and youth within the child-welfare system to have access to these critical resources, creating a strong foundation for living a life of independence and reducing the likelihood of repeating the cycle of abuse and neglect.

“This will be no easy task,” Di Ciaula said, “but the momentum is growing, and we’re seeing passionate leaders step up across every sector. I truly believe this collaboration will create a long-lasting, positive impact — not just for today’s children, but for generations to come.”

The council meets regularly and has outlined both short-and long-term actionable items to ensure the initiative remains on task. They are currently gathering community leaders, identifying resources and outlining gaps in service across the community.

CASA Kane County is a nonprofit organization committed to serving the best interests of children in foster care through the advocacy of Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers. Supporting more than 700 children annually, CASA Kane County ensures every child’s voice is heard. For more information about CASA Kane County or the cross-county community-based advisory council, visit www.casakanecounty.org, or contact Jim Di Ciaula at jimd@casakanecounty.org.