The Children and Family Research Center is an independent research organization dedicated to supporting and conducting research that contributes to keeping children safe, assuring permanent homes for children, and supporting child and family well-being.

Created in 1996 at the School of Social Work by the University of Illinois and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, our unique university-agency partnership advances the safety, family permanence, and well-being of Illinois children. With offices in Chicago and on the University of Illinois campus in Urbana, the Center conducts independent evaluations, sponsors original research and promotes evidence-based practices that advance the public mission of ensuring the safety and welfare of Illinois children.

The CFRC forges alliances with other states and universities, public and private agencies, and community and national child welfare organizations to conduct research responsive to the mission and responsibilities of public child welfare systems nationwide.

The Mission of the Center is to:

• Study the needs of children and families in their social contexts
• Monitor the achievement of child welfare outcomes
• Evaluate service demonstrations and system reforms
• Audit programs to ensure service quality and efficiency
• Provide training and consultation to advance best practice
• Disseminate knowledge on research-based practice

The Center seeks to accomplish its mission by building a results-oriented system of research, management, and accountability, based on accepted principles of care, that can continuously be re-examined and revised in light of incoming information on child and family outcomes.