Our Vision
UCAN leads with transformational interventions so that families and communities can be safe and prosper.
UCAN is relentless.
Our Mission
UCAN’s expertise spans youth in care, youth development, mental health, therapeutic schools, workforce development, and violence prevention and intervention.
Our Core Values
- We hold true the belief that healing is possible and that providing care with compassion is essential to our work
- We challenge all individuals to become advocates for justice
- We believe that integrity and honesty are the cornerstones of our work
- We honor the intrinsic value of all people and believe inclusiveness is a strength
- Providing youth a voice is a personal healing experience as well as a chance to advocate for others
- Excellence derives from knowledge, hard work and innovation
- We strive for fairness and equality for our clients and in our workplace
- Financial viability is necessary and requires control and individual responsibility
UCAN serves and positively influences over 9,100 underrepresented children, youth, and families across Illinois. Our continuum of care creates a healing process for the youth and families we serve.
UCAN’s primary clients are youth in care of the state child welfare system and youth who have been removed from their homes for reasons of abuse or neglect. We also work with the families of these children to enhance the full spectrum of support. UCAN provides a continuum of care which enables clients to move from one program to another as their needs change, sparing our youth the transitions and gaps caused by moves from one agency to another. All of our programs are united by a common clinical philosophy, which ensures that our approach to healing is cohesive and consistent.
We provide a continuum of care that meets clients where they are.
Our Impact
Percent of youth in specialized foster care maintained the same placement for at least 12 months.
Percent of participants say UCAN gave them the opportunity to improve their future.
Percent of participants would refer others to UCAN services.