State of Illinois
Department of Human Services
division of coMMunity HealtH
and pRevention
e Division of Community Health and Prevention (CHP) recognizes Illinois’ communities as its most
significant partners in preventing conditions that keep children and families from reaching their full
potential, and in providing services and supports that build toward truly healthy environments in which
children develop and families live and work.
CHP offers an extensive array of integrated services and supports that work not just to reduce and prevent
the many complex health and social issues facing Illinois' families, but also to foster health, family support,
positive development, self-sufficiency and success for children, youth and families in need across Illinois.
Most of our services are available through local community-based organizations. e types of services we
offer are described below.
RepRoductive HealtH
Family planning services provide low-income women of reproductive age with the information and means to exercise personal choice
in determining the number and spacing of their children. Reproductive health services also include HIV testing and education; male
involvement programming for young African American men; and health education to prevent birth defects and prematurity.
infant MoRtality Reduction
e division provides health and social services and supports for pregnant women and infants to help women have healthy babies and
to reduce the rates of infant mortality and low birth weight. A wide array of related programs provide intensive services for women
and infants whose age, lifestyle and/or environment put them at higher risk for poor birth outcomes. Other programs work to identify
the non-medical factors that contribute to adverse pregnancy outcomes in the Chicago area; track children who may require special
services; and develop public health policy in this arena.
eaRly cHildHood developMent
Services include developmental evaluations and needed medical, nutritional, psychological and/or social services for children up to
the age of three with developmental delays and the identification and treatment of infants born with hearing loss. e division also
provides screening and treatment for women suffering from postpartum depression; systems coordination for families with young
children; and linkage to health care services for families with children in child care and/or with foster children.
pRevention of cHild abuse and neglect
We help strengthen the parent/child relationship and promote positive parenting and healthy child growth and development through
home visits to expectant and new parents who may be at risk for problems in parenting.
faMily nutRition
e WIC program provides health screenings, nutrition education, breastfeeding promotion, supplemental foods and linkage to other
health services for women and children up to age five who are eligible by income and/or nutritional status. Other services provided by
CHP include supplemental foods and farmer’s market programs for eligible target populations, and diabetes prevention and control
services.
pRoMotion of cHild and adolescent HealtH
CHP programs equip school personnel with the skills to improve the health of school-aged children and identify children with
asthma and refer them for treatment and services.
pRevention of teen pRegnancy
e division works to reduce first-time teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS, and to improve access to
health services through a variety of approaches including reproductive health education, parental involvement and public awareness.
Other programming targets subsequent pregnancies among teen mothers through home visiting, case management and group
meetings.
suppoRt foR teen paRents
We operate a variety of programs that provide support and assistance to pregnant or parenting low-income teens to help them obtain a
high school diploma (or its equivalent), delay subsequent pregnancies and enhance their parenting skills. Services are also available to
the families of these teens to increase family employment rates and education.
substance abuse pRevention
Local prevention specialists work with youth and educators in schools and with community stakeholders, parents and local coalitions,
to deliver an array of substance abuse prevention strategies that have been proven effective in addressing local needs. Strategies include
youth prevention education, parent education, mentoring, tutoring, communication campaigns and technical assistance in
formulating public policy.
delinquency pRevention
e division provides a continuum of prevention, diversion, intervention and treatment services for youth to support families in crisis,
prevent juvenile delinquency, encourage academic achievement and to divert youth at risk of involvement in the child welfare, juvenile
justice or correctional systems.
positive youtH developMent
Multi-faceted programs in this area help youth grow into mature and successful adults by promoting positive relationships with peers,
emphasizing youths’ strengths, providing opportunities to learn healthy behaviors, connecting with caring adults, and empowering
youth to assume leadership roles. Services include out-of-school time programs, academic counseling and job readiness activities, life
skills education, volunteerism and service learning opportunities, community planning and preparation for college.
doMestic violence and sexual assault pRevention seRvices
Programming in this area supports comprehensive, community-based services to reduce the incidence of domestic and sexual violence
and to ensure that survivors have access to safety, medical care, crisis support, legal advocacy and counseling services for themselves
and their significant others. Other services include education for abusers and assistance with the court system.
coMMunity eMpoweRMent
TEAM Illinois is an unprecedented initiative that leverages public and private funds to create opportunities for the individuals and
families living in some of Illinois’ most impoverished communities.
for more information call or visit your
illinois department of Human services’ family community Resource center (fcRc).
If you have questions about any Illinois Department of Human Services
(IDHS) program, call or visit your FCRC. We will answer your questions.
If you do not know where your FCRC is or if you are unable to go there, you
may call the automated helpline 24 hours a day at:
1-800-843-6154 (voice)
1-800-447-6404 (TTY)
You may speak to a representative between:
8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Monday - Friday (except state holidays)
For answers to your questions, you may also write:
Illinois Department of Human Services
Bureau of Customer Support and Services
100 South Grand Avenue East
Springfield, Illinois 62762
Visit our web site at:
www.dhs.state.il.us
Programs, activities and employment opportunities in the Illinois Department of Human Services are open and accessible to any individual or
group without regard to age, sex, race, sexual orientation, disability, ethnic origin or religion. The department is an equal opportunity employer and
practices affirmative action and reasonable accommodation programs.
DHS 4026 (N-10-11) Fact Sheet - Community Health and Prevention (CHP) Printed by the Authority of the State of Illinois.