Illinois Permanency Enhancement Project (PEP)

In 2007 the Center for Child Welfare and Adoption Studies began a partnership with DCFS to serve as the lead university among four state universities (Illinois State University, Northern Illinois University, University of Illinois Chicago, and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville) to co-plan, implement, and evaluate the Illinois Permanency Project (PEP). The PEP model engages community stakeholders and policy makers who jointly develop local policy and practice solutions aimed at reducing racial disparities and improving permanency outcomes for children within the Illinois foster care system.