Permanency Enhancement Project

The Northern Region Permanency Enhancement Project (PEP) is part of a collaborative effort between Northern Illinois University (NIU) and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to improve permanency outcomes for children and families in the northern region of the state. Permanency outcomes include preserving families, increasing rates of family reunification, improving the stability of adoption and guardianship and ensuring that children in foster care have access to the same opportunities, supports and outcomes as children not involved with DCFS.

This project also supports a statewide agenda in partnership with Illinois State University (ISU), Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIU-E) and the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC).

For more than ten years, PEP has worked to address social, economic and systemic barriers that impact permanency, strengthened NIU's strategic partnerships and collaborative initiatives and supported improved outcomes for children, families and communities across the northern region of the state.