In Memoriam

Leading up to this conference, the lives of two valued members of the planning committee ended before they could see the fruits of their labor. Cinda Morrow and Adrienne Welenc carried more than their share of the load on behalf of this organization, their families and their communities. Now, they have laid their burdens down. Please join me in remembering their lifelong contributions.

Gladys Boyd

IFAPA President

 
                Cinda Morrow                                                                     Adrienne Welenc

                                                                                        

Cinda was an IFAPA board member and one of the driving forces in the planning and success of many of our past conferences.

Cinda was born March 13, 1953 and died October 20, 2009 of H1N1.  Cinda and her husband Dennis were the proud parents of three biological children, 28 foster children and five adopted children.

Cinda and Dennis were foster parents representing not only the IFAPA, but all foster/adoptive parents in Illinois.  Cinda also served as a Foster Parent Support Specialist for several years, giving everything she had to her family as well as all the all the families around Illinois.

Cinda is truly missed by the IFAPA board and all whose lives she has touched.

                                

Adrienne was an IFAPA member whose foster care history started even before there was a "D,C,F,S," 

She left us on July 20, 2010 after a courageous battle against cancer.  With her husband Jerry, she was a front line soldier in the fight for the Foster Parent Bill of Rights.  She had a 35 year career with DCFS, where she helped shape the the Foster Parent Support Specialist role so caregivers could have a advocate on their side.  She served as Chair of the Statewide Foster Care Advisory council and countless volunteer efforts.

At home, her love covered two children by birth, eight by adoption and nearly, 100 who joined their Southwest Chicago home through foster care.  Through them and her many lasting good works her legacy will live on.

 

Registration is now closed  for the Illinois Foster Adoptive Parent Association caregiver conference with DCFS. The weekend conference will be held August 27-29 at the Marriott Oak Brook Hills Resort. The conference "Fostering Positive Outcomes for Children" is open to all foster, adoptive and relative caregivers.

Caregivers can also request a packet by e-mail to dcfstraining@illinois.gov or by phone at 877-800-3393

Thank you for visiting the Illinois Foster/Adoptive Parent Association web site.

The Illinois Foster and Adoptive Parent Association (IFAPA) is the only nationally recognized foster parent association in Illinois. The IFAPA stays on top of new laws, rules, regulations and funding proposed by DCFS or the Illinois state legislature. It actively seeks funding for foster and adoptive parents to attend conferences. It advocates for foster and adoptive parents.

IFAPA was organized to provide support and education to foster and adoptive parents. By advocating for positive change in the child welfare system, both foster/adoptive parents and their children benefit. By listening to concerns of foster/adoptive parents throughout the state, area of needed reform can be targeted and addressed.

By working with established child welfare organizations, we combine our efforts to become one of the most innovative and responsive states in this field.

 

HELP YOUR CHILD APPLY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP TODAY

Click here to find out more about applying for a scholarship.

A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

Click here to read Change letter from the president.

JOB FAIRS &
SPECIAL EVENTS

The Illinois Department of Employment Security offers a list of job fairs and special events. Click here to find out more details.

Who Can Be A Member?
Membership in the IFAPA is open to everyone and would fall into one of the following categories.

  • Foster/Adoptive/Guardianship/Kinship which is for currently licensed foster/adoptive parents (voting member);
  • Honorary which is for other than foster/adoptive parents and does not pay dues but is a member by virtue of his/her outstanding service to the Illinois Foster Parent Association and its members. They are non-voting members.
  • Other: a person who is a supportive member who believes in IFAPA and its purposes and goals, and is also a non-voting member.

For more information on becoming a member, or starting a local chapter in your area, please email membership@ilfapa.org or see our contact page for helpful names, numbers and addresses.

Get to Know Us
You can find out how IFAPA is organized, read more about our accomplishments on behalf of foster and adoptive parents and our current goals.

Please feel free to contact us with your questions of if you require information.

 
©2000 Illinois Foster Adoptive Parent Association (IFAPA).

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