Friday, November 15, 2019
November is recognized as National Adoption Month, and during this time, Indiana state agencies work hard to spread awareness of children in need of loving families.
In Indiana, there are currently more than 1,500 children eligible for adoption.
To promote adoption this month, the Indiana Adoption Program and the Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) are partnering with the Indiana Supreme Court to share stories of children who have found loving and permanent homes.
DCS will host adoption events across the state in the coming weeks to provide information, materials, and answers to those considering adoption.
Hoosiers interested in adopting can also visit in.gov/DCS to learn more about the children waiting for their forever homes.
For more information, click here.
The Senate Republican caucus is dedicated to ensuring the well-being of Hoosier children, and during the 2019 session, the General Assembly passed legislation to support DCS and Indiana’s foster children.
For example, Indiana’s next two-year budget, House Enrolled Act 1001, allocates $502 million in additional funding to DCS.
Senate Enrolled Act 1 also creates measures to protect Indiana’s vulnerable children by addressing the concerns of foster parents dealing with the court system. This bill creates a process to allow foster parents to share their recommendations about a child’s welfare with the court.
Another bill passed this year, House Enrolled Act 1006, implements recommendations from the Child Welfare Policy and Practice Group to improve DCS based on its 2018 review of the agency. HEA 1006 helps DCS become more efficient by modifying caseload standards for in-home child placements and directing DCS to focus neglect investigations on parents who purposely refuse to care for their children.
As the 2020 session approaches, our caucus will continue to advocate for foster children and families.
