Director's Biography
James W. Payne, Judge, Director
Indiana Department of Child Services
JAMES W. PAYNE serves as Director of the DCS, a cabinet level position reporting directly to Governor Daniels. Payne is responsible for providing oversight in the protection of children and child support enforcement. Payne served as the Juvenile Court Judge in Marion County for 20 years before being appointed to lead DCS. Payne has frequently spoken around the country on issues of abuse and neglect, delinquency, case management and juvenile justice practice and policy. He has served on many boards and executive committees developing juvenile court policy both in Indiana and throughout the country. He has been a member of many associations, including the National Council of Juvenile Court Judges and the National Criminal Justice Association. Payne has also received numerous awards including the Distinguished Hoosier Award from the Indiana Governor’s Office and the Juvenile Court Judge of the Year award for the State of Indiana. Judge Payne and his wife Terrie, have been married 39 years. They have two children and five grandchildren.
- How do I check on Child Support issues?
- How old does a child have to be before he/she can stay home alone?
- Where can I get a copy of case records?
- If I report child abuse or neglect, what happens? Will the family find out that ...
- Is it okay to sleep with my baby?
- What information do I have to provide if I report child abuse or neglect?
- Become a foster parent
- Adopt a Child and/or Search for children to adopt
- Know more about the Indiana Foster Care & Adoption Association
- Visit the Child Welfare Information Gateway
- Establish Paternity
- See a map of DCS Regions and populations.
- Collect or pay child support.
- Leave my infant at a safe place (Safe Haven Law).
- Apply for a Job with DCS.
- Talk to someone or write to a representative of DCS.
- Print one of the DCS publications.
- Give money to the Kids First Trust Fund.
- Find my Local DSC Office and Director
- Contact my Regional Manager.
- Know what the guidelines for Child Support are.
