Parents and Agencies Making a Difference 

• LAN 16 Contact List

• Meeting Minutes 

What is a Child and Adolescent Local Area Network?

A Child and Adolescent Local Area Network (LAN) is the cooperative involvement of parents, social service agencies, churches, and other community agencies and programs to help children and their families.    The main purpose of LAN is to prevent children from being removed from their homes, schools, and communities.   This goal is accomplished by coordinating the available resources and by creating and funding services that are necessary but do not already exist in the community.  They who live within the LAN provide the leadership and are responsible for the LAN.

Why do we need a LAN?

Despite the efforts of talented and caring human service providers, children often present problems that are beyond the scope of any single agency or program.  Through this cooperative process we are able to effectively meet the needs of these children.

How are the "created" services funded?

The  Illinois Department of Children & Family Services and the Illinois State Board of Education cooperatively fund the LAN effort. The funding is provided to create "child specific services" which do not already exist in the child’s community but which are necessary to provide successful intervention.

Who can be referred to LAN?

Anyone can refer a child and their family to the LAN Community Team.

The criteria for acceptance are:

1) the child is 3 to 18 years old,

and

2) the child is at risk of or has already been removed from his home, school, or community. 

The LAN Referral Form and the Release of Information need to be completed before the case can be presented to the LAN Community Team.  Children 12 years and older must also sign the Release of Information.  The LAN Referral Form and dates of the Community Team Meetings can be obtained from the people listed above.

What happens when the referral is accepted?

If the Community Team accepts the referral then it will recommend members for the Child & Family Team.  The Child & Family Team will include key people in the child's life, including the child's family, friends, neighbors, pastor, school counselor, etc.

The completed WRAP Plan will then be presented to the Community Team for Approval.  The Child & Family Team will implement the approved WRAP Plan of services.  The Child & Family Team will continue to meet monthly to monitor the progress and make adjustments when necessary.

How Do you Become Involved?

The Community Teams meet at least monthly a) to review family referrals, b) to form Child & Family Teams and c) to approve Family Wrap Plans for funding.

You may participate in the LAN 16 Community Team Meeting by:

1.) Presenting a family to the Community Team for approval to develop a Family Wrap Plan, and/or

2.) Attending the Community Team and being part of the decision making process.

The Steering Committee meets the 4th Tuesday of each month at the Wells Center in Jacksonville. The Steering Committee provides administrative direction to the Community Teams as well as administers some state grants within the community.  The LAN 16 Family Centered Services Grant has funded several programs in the area which provide child abuse prevention services.

The Community Team Meeting is scheduled for the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 9am at the Wells Center, 1300 Lincoln Avenue.  Call 217-243-1871 for directions.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE !!!    BECOME A PART OF LAN #16

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