IL Baptist Children's Home and Family Services

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Contact Information

949 County Road
P.O. Box 218
Carmi, IL 62821
United States
Online Contact Form
DayHours
Monday 8 AM-5 PM
Tuesday 8 AM-5 PM
Wednesday 8 AM-5 PM
Thursday 8 AM-5 PM
Friday 8-11:30 AM
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed

Social Media

Baptist Children’s Home began in 1918 in response to a need in Illinois to care for dependent children who were orphaned as a result of WWI and the great influenza epidemic that struck Illinois.
Illinois Southern Baptists had the dream of building an orphanage, but the hard work of three men made the dream a reality. The pastor of Carmi First Baptist Church, D.F. Marlin, and two of his deacons—Eben Renshaw and John W. Hall led the charge to raise the money needed to build the orphanage.
Through the years, the Children’s Home’s ministry has evolved in response to the needs of children and families. No longer a need to care for orphans, the mission changed to focus on the dependent, neglected and/or abused children. In 1995, our name changed to Baptist Children’s Home & Family Services to better reflect that we are more family-focused in our work.
Today, BCHFS is a multi-faceted family crisis center in Southern Illinois consisting of five ministries that work together to protect, heal, and restore struggling children and families. Whether it is helping teens in trouble, young women with unplanned pregnancies, or Christian counseling services – BCHFS has been helping those who need it most reach their full potential.
We provide resources for women facing unplanned pregnancies. Our services include safe residential housing for women facing homelessness while pregnant.

Services and information

  • Adoption

Requirements to become a foster parent

You must meet minimum requirements to provide foster care for children in Illinois. To become a foster parent, you must:

  • Be at least 21 years old
  • Attend foster parent orientation
  • Pass a background check
  • Finish 30 hours of foster parent training
  • Complete the Home Study
  • Provide at least three references
  • Clear a physical exam
  • Maintain financial stability

Foster families must be able to provide a safe and comfortable home for a child. You must provide room for the child to have a bed and enough space for personal belongings.

Foster parents do not need to be married or have a partner. However, if married, couples must show a stable marriage of at least one year before they can foster a child in Illinois.

Foster parents need to meet a child's basic care needs, such as providing meals and clothing. Foster families must also support a foster child's education and assist them in developing social skills.

Contact the DCFS or a local licensed child-placing agency to learn more or begin the fostering approval process.

Ratings and Reviews

Average user rating

4.6 / 5
Rating breakdown
5
4
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2
1
If you have an experience with this agency, please write a review.
Carolyn Hutcherson
Oct 21, 2016

Because it wasn't the same as home I cryed and prayed to come home I spent 4 hole years did not get to see any family no nothing a bed and TV that's it I cryed and when my time was up I cryed to mom and dad saying I will never do it again sorry don't go there

Rating: 1