This case came to the attention of DCFS due to the death of the child's mother. The child woke up in the morning and found that mother died beside her in her sleep. She was placed with her grandmother. In July of 2023, the grandmother's home burned down in a fire and they had to leave the home. They lost everything in the house fire - their home, belongings, furniture, personal mementos, and had their pet displaced. They stayed in hotels and just moved into an apartment on 11/06/23. The grandmother used the money she saved and gathered money from family to pay for the deposit and 1st month's rent. Due to using all the savings and money to move into a new apartment the grandmother has limited funding to purchase furniture. They are in need of a bed & mattress, dresser and a small sofa for the child to have a place to sleep and sit in the home and dresser for her clothes. Assisting the family in gathering these basic necessities would be very appreciative during this holiday season. Bed- Sofa- Dresser-

TAY's birthday is coming up and has never had the opportunity to celebrate her birthday due to past traumas. TAY stated having a target gift card allows them the opportunity to make personal choices, fostering a sense of agency and rebuilding a positive connection with their own needs and preferences despite them never having the opportunity to celebrate themselves. TAY requested Target Gift Card and Bath N Body works gift card

I am asking for assistance on behalf of a family I have been working with. The family consist of Mother, Father, and 3 children. The family has expressed a need for a new couch. Client stated due to the high cost of rent and groceries it has been impossible to save money for furniture at this time. The family also relies on only 1 income. Client mentioned the current couch they have in the living room was left there from the previous tenants. The couch is extremely damaged and cannot be used. Upon receiving a new couch, the family will be able to enjoy family bonding time in the living room; client also stated she will teach children to care for furniture and not jump on the couches.

This family consists of a mother and two children are in desperate need of a working refrigerator. The mother has been searching online for a refrigerator, but has not been successful with finding any within her budget. She also does not have a way of transporting a refrigerator, making the prices higher due to delivery charges. Although, she is having that challenge, she is meeting the case plan goals/court orders and recently received custody of her children again. The mother is working full-time and is resourceful, resilient and caring. The main reason I am requesting this need to be fulfilled is because it aids in preserving food, a basic necessity for living. Her current refrigerator broke and only the freezer part is working. The family is currently having to make multiple trips to the grocery store a week. This need is critical to ensuring the caregiver is able to budget and provide adequate and fresh amounts of food for the children. This need is being requested through Care Portal because unfortunately DCFS would be too long as some requests take up to 8 – 10 weeks.

Single mother who just recently moved and started a new job is in need of some used living room furniture to furnish her home. There is one child in the home with no additional supports. Thank you in advance for strengthening this family.

This request is to help parents in being able to throw a birthday party for their two year old daughter at Chuck E Cheese. This is one of six children and one of four birthdays in December and January. By covering the cost for the party would alleviate some of that stress the parents experience during this time to make sure their children get to have fun on their birthdays, get presents for their birthday, while also making sure that they are able to get all the children presents for Christmas.

This family has a voluntary Family Preservation case with SHIELDS since October 2023. The parents need assistance with obtaining a highchair and a toddler car seat. They have twins who are 8 months old in need of a highchair they can share, as the apartment is too small to store two highchairs. In addition, they need help obtaining a toddler car seat for their four-year-old, as she has not been secure in the booster seat they purchased. Thank you in advance for your assistance to this low-income family.

Good morning Care portal and happy Friday! I am currently working with a single 19 year old mom. Who has a 15 day old beutiful baby, this mom is struggling a lot and although DCCCA has been able to provide transportation to appointments, clothing, a baby careseat, among other things. This mom and baby currently need formula, mom is schedule for a wic appointment next Thursday. I am seeking help with three cans of formula and some groceries for this young momma. This worker will be taking the young mom to her local food pantry next Tuesday and will begin connecting her with other resources. However, I want to make sure she has what she critically needs right now. I will be working this weekend, so if you find it in your heart to help. please contact me and I can come to you or we can meet up to cover this need. Thank you for reading, your awesome and I know we will figure this together. God bless you!! (Similac advanced blue label)

Mother is a single mom and is doing the best she can raising 4 boys. She is behind on BPU bill as she recently moved to Kansas after fleeing from her abusive husband. Mom is working really hard but just needs some extra support. Mother is asking for help with groceries and payment of her utility bill to alleviate concerns for children going hungry, and to ensure they are getting fed properly. It will also ensure their electricity does not get shut off as the holidays and cold weather approach.

I am seeking request for pull up diapers for client (1-year-old), clothing, and shoes for the minor. The minor was recently detained from 16-year-old minor mother whom was having a difficult time caring for her child due to her age, and placed in care of maternal grandmother. Maternal grandmother currently needs support to care for her grandson. The Maternal grandmother is doing her best to provide for her grandchild in order to keep him in her care, but due to the short notice to care for him, she had to stop working, and currently does not have sufficient funds to purchase needed items for the child. The child is very attached to his grandmother and DCFS is doing everything possible to ensure that he can stay in his grandmother’s care. Maternal grandmother is doing everything she needs to keep her grandchild safe. The family is a recent immigrant family, and attempting to do their best for the 1-year old minor, so that he has a safe, secure, and nurturing home. The child’s shoe size is 6 (child size) and clothing size is 3T. Thank you for your consideration in assisting this client.

The children ages 16 and 13 are in need of winter clothing. The father works full-time as a tree trimmer and the mother is a homemaker. The family is struggling financially as a father has a $12,000 bill for bail and attorney fees.

Mother has recently reunified with her 5 children ages 5-13. Mother was homeless a year ago and was able to obtain housing through section 8. The children have returned home but the family need beds and mattresses. Mother is able to care for her children and this will allow for the children to have appropriate sleeping arrangements to avoid future risk of neglect.

Two youth, ages 16 and 11 are in need of resources. The 16 year old needs a bed and mattress, and the 11 year old boy needs a winter jacket. They currently live with their uncle who is providing their care. The financial assistance received for the children is enough for the caregiver to provide their basic needs as the caregiver has 3 children of his own whom he cares for and supports. The caregiver is a single parent. He was able to buy clothes for the youth at the end of summer, but the 11 year old needs a jacket size 12-14 for the upcoming winter. The 16 year old youth's bed is no longer able to meet her needs as it is too low and old. Having a new bed will allow her to have an appropriate sleeping arrangement.

The parents recently separated and the mother is moving to a new apartment on 12/5 with the children. The mother is a homemaker and she does not have the funds to purchase a microwave. There are three children in the home, ages 1, 4 and 11.

A single mother raising two children has been facing difficulties finding work because of health issues and not being able to drive. She's reaching out for help to get a new mattress and box spring for her family. However, just mattresses will work fine as well. The family's current beds are almost a decade old, falling apart, and were hand-me downs. On top of that, the mother deals with Psoriasis and Arthritis, and her pain has been worsening because her bed doesn't provide enough support. Unfortunately, the family hasn't had success getting help from local resources for beds. They urgently need a Queen-sized bed and two twin-sized beds. If they could get assistance with this, it would greatly improve their sleep, relieve the discomfort of sleeping on worn-out beds, and ease the stress the mother feels from struggling to find suitable beds for her family.

A family is in need of immediate food resources, the family has tried to call food banks and community resources but has not had success. We are looking for gift cards to grocery stores or assistance with boxed food.

I am working with a family that lost a lot of their household items due to a bed bug infestation. There are 4 children and two adults living in a two-bedroom apartment. Currently, the children's clothing is on the floor in their closet, and it is difficult for them to locate items that they need. The children's mother has some mental health concerns that she is working to address. Therefore, updating their space and improving the conditions that her children are living in will help boost the overall morale of the home. Thank you so much for any and all help that you can provide. The family is enthusiastically open to second-hand and pre-loved items. Small laundry baskets, bookshelves, and any small storage items would also be helpful. One of the older children has asthma and has a difficult time keeping up with their siblings. Their mother thinks that a double stroller would help with this a lot. Thank you so much for supporting the community.

We are asking support of our local community for a mother who has successfully reunified with her two minor children. Additionally, mother has a young adult child who is going to school, and helps the mother with the rent and bills. Mother worked every day to be as involved as she could while her children were placed with relatives. Mother currently does not have a kitchen table for her kids, and since reunifying the bond with her sister has been strengthened, as she was the relative caring for mother's children at the time. The maternal aunt and her children have been visiting the children a lot since the reunification. Mother works at a cafeteria, and is providing for the children's needs and extra-curricular activities, which is many. Her children are in early adolescence (middle school) and the separation from mother was very hard on them since mother has been the only parent in their lives. We would love if this family could be blessed with a new table and chairs set, and a large couch so the whole family can comfortable visit, the children can do homework, eat, and spend the end of the year together.

Single mom needing pull ups and rubber sheets for two twin beds. Two of the children continue to wet the bed at night and teachers are reporting the children smell of urine when at school. All four children sleep in the beds together so both mattresses need to be covered. Mom just lost her job, so money is an issue at this time to get the items.

Please help a family in dire need of somewhere to live for the next two days. The family consist of mother and her four young children. They were living in an apartment but there are some issues that do not allow them into the apartment for at least the next two days. The weather has turned cold and the family has nowhere to go. Shelters were contacted but they are waitlisted. Please help the family stay in a safe environment for the next two days. We are requesting hotel stay for two nights.