UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA-CHAMPAIGN

The Children and Family Research Center, located in Urbana, Illinois, is an independent research organization created jointly in 1996 at the School of Social Work by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. The goal of the Center is to identify research needs and support research that is policy and practice relevant and encourage and facilitate public child welfare research activities through collaborative relationships.

Latest News and Publications

Join eNewsletter List
Mar 2026 / Book Chapter    

All students should have access to a global curriculum, an affirming and integrated school community, differentiated instruction, and opportunities for development. Some recent studies show that immigrants' children are not benefiting from…

Feb 2026 / Newsletter    

In this issue: A pair of new reports, an introduction to our newest team member...and the newsletter itself gets a refreshed look!

Jan 2026 / Report    

HB2914 requires the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services to submit an annual report regarding racial disproportionality for children involved in the Illinois child welfare system. The report, which is due on December 31 of each year,…

Jan 2026 / Report    

This is the executive summary of the FY2025 Report in Response to HB2914. This report examines racial disproportionality in the Illinois child welfare system in the following indicators: children and families involved in a safety plan, protective…

Jan 2026 / Report    

Public Act 102-1087, which became effective June 10, 2022, mandates that the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS, the Department) establish a 3-year Bias-Free Child Removal Pilot Program. The Act requires an evaluation that…

Jan 2026 / Journal Publication    

Many offenders against children use religion to facilitate abuse, which causes children spiritual harm. Moreover, child victims may generally suffer spiritual harm because abuse shakes their belief in a just and loving God. The spiritual harm is…