DCFS has the primary responsibility of protecting children and strengthening families through the investigation and intervention of suspected child abuse or neglect by parents and other caregivers.

DCFS links families with community services to address struggles families are having, offers preventative services to referred families in an attempt to keep family units together to address findings of abuse/neglect, and works with families who have children under the legal custody of DCFS while working to reunify families when possible or provide a permanent home for children.

As part of its duties, DCFS also licenses and monitors all Illinois child welfare agencies, child care agencies, domestic and international adoption providers, and group homes in the state.