•January 17, 2024•

The American Cancer Society reports that cervical cancer was once one of the most common causes of cancer death among American women. Though those numbers have decreased dramatically as use of the Pap test has increased, cervical cancer remains a considerable global threat. That threat is a reflection of socioeconomic conditions, as the World Health Organization reports that roughly 90 percent of new cervical cancer cases and deaths in 2020 occurred in low- and middle-income countries. Read More

•January 17, 2024•

Learning on the job is part of being a parent. That learning curve can be steep for anyone, but especially so for first-time parents with no personal experience to draw on.

Bathing newborns is a job many parents look back on with fondness once their children have gotten older. Bath time also can be bonding time for parents and their newborns. As first-time parents prepare to bring their newborns home, they may have some questions about bathing their babies.

When should a newborn be given his or her first bath? Read More

•January 17, 2024•

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is currently accepting applications for the 2024 DCFS Scholarship Program. Through the program, a minimum of 53 academic scholarships will be awarded to current and former youth in care for the upcoming school year, with four awards reserved for the children of veterans and two reserved for students pursuing degrees in social work in honor of Pamela Knight and Deidre Silas, two DCFS caseworkers who succumbed to injuries sustained in the line of duty.

Scholarship recipients receive up to five consecutive years of tuition and academic fee waivers to be used at participating Illinois state community colleges and public universities, a monthly grant of $1,577 to offset other expenses and a medical card. Last year DCFS awarded scholarships to 259 college-bound youth, the most in the agency’s history. Read More