Which entity oversees child welfare in Illinois?

The Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is the primary agency in Illinois responsible for overseeing child welfare. This includes managing child protection services, foster care, adoption services, and other supportive services for children and families in need. The DCFS's focus is to ensure the safety and well-being of children, to prevent child abuse and neglect, and to provide services that promote family preservation whenever possible.

Other entities listed, such as the State Department of Child Welfare, do not exist as a distinct entity in Illinois; rather, their functions fall under the purview of the DCFS. The Child Advocacy Center focuses on providing resources and services for child victims of abuse, but it does not oversee child welfare at the state level. Similarly, the Department of Youth Services is primarily concerned with adjudicated youth and juvenile justice rather than overall child welfare. Therefore, the DCFS stands out as the key agency dedicated to all aspects of child welfare in Illinois.