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The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) contracted with three child welfare providers that operate transitional living (TLP) or independent living (ILO) programs (or both) to implement LifeSet, an intensive case management program developed by Youth Villages, for youth in care who are 17.5 to 21 years old. LifeSet helps youth develop the independent living skills necessary for a successful transition from foster care to adulthood. DCFS contracted with Chapin Hall to evaluate LifeSet. During Phase I, the authors conducted a formative evaluation to understand how LifeSet is being implemented in Illinois to learn about the experiences of the three Illinois LifeSet providers, and to describe the characteristics of the youth those providers serve. The formative evaluation included three components: (1) review of LifeSet program materials; (2) interviews with supervisors, program directors, and other administrators; and (3) comparison of the cohort of youth who were enrolled in LifeSet for at least one day between 7/1/2019 and 11/30/2021 (n = 267) to the cohort of youth who were placed in traditional (i.e., non-LifeSet) transitional living or independent living programs during that same period (n = 367). LifeSet supervisors and administrators noted the strengths of LifeSet, but also expressed concerns related to whether some referrals were appropriate, continuity of care, and specialists' workload. Additionally analysis of the administrative data found the LifeSet youth were older and more likely to be Black. They had spent more time in care, were less likely to have experienced detention, and had spent fewer days per years in care in detention or a psychiatric hospital.

Since March 2020, states across the country have taken extreme measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). Stay-at-home orders and deteriorating economic conditions have placed families under stress, while children home from school have diminished exposure to adults who might detect and report abuse and neglect. There are concerns that these circumstances could heighten the risk of undetected maltreatment, and that an eventual return to school will result in a deluge of child maltreatment reports that could overwhelm child welfare systems. Research shows that large-scale economic crises can lead to financial loss, stress, and general hardship, which are risk factors for child maltreatment (Brooks-Gunn et al., 2013). Families experiencing poverty and economic insecurity have higher rates of child abuse and neglect (Boyer & Halbrook, 2011); county-level research corroborates this correlation (Courtney et al., 2005). At the same time, COVID-19-related closures have reduced the opportunities for mandated reporters (e.g., teachers, day care providers, mental health professionals, doctors) to observe children. This brief summarizes efforts to respond to these concerns and provide empirical guidance to child welfare system leaders.