FY27 Wendy’s Wonderful Kids (WWK) – Illinois Child-Focused Recruitment Expansion Program (Cook County)

The Department of Children and Family Services is seeking applications for the FY27 Wendy’s Wonderful Kids (WWK) – Illinois Child-Focused Recruitment Expansion Program. The program aims to provide child-focused recruitment services to youth in foster care with a goal of adoption. The provider will collaborate with the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption to execute the WWK program, which includes diligent search, family finding, and recruitment activities. The provider will employ 25 WWK recruiters over a five-year period and maintain a caseload of 12-15 youth per recruiter. The program will serve youth ages 9+ in Cook County who are in the public foster care system and have a permanency plan for adoption. • The WWK program will provide comprehensive recruitment and matching services for youth. • The provider will develop a Child-Focused Diligent Recruitment Plan for each referred case. • The provider will conduct monthly meetings with each child and maintain regular contact with the child's network. • The provider will document all recruitment efforts and maintain case files. • The provider will transport youth for activities related to relationship building as needed. The application must include a program narrative, budget, and supplemental questions. The budget should include clear narrative descriptions and justify the need for each cost. The provider must comply with all applicable provisions of state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to nondiscrimination, sexual harassment, and equal employment opportunity.