Overview
The Department of Child Services was established in January 2005 by an executive order of the Governor to better care for children by providing more direct attention and oversight in two critical areas: protection of children and child support enforcement.
The legislature authorized the hiring of 400 new child protection case managers as well as additional training. The department is undergoing major changes that will take place over the next five years. On July 5, 2005 the first group of new family case managers will begin training under new standards.
Some of the successes in the first months of the department include a centralized hiring process, regionalization, new training programs, new standards for family case managers, and improved centralized payment processing for child support.
The department is temporarily located in Indiana Government Center South at 402 West Washington Street, Room W392.
The Department of Child Services protects children and strengthens families through services that focus on family support and preservation. The department administers child support, child protection, adoption and foster care throughout the state of Indiana. The mission of the department is to protect children from abuse and neglect by partnering with families and communities to provide safe, nurturing, and stable homes.
Values
Protecting our Children, Families and Future
- We believe every child has the right to be free from abuse and neglect.
- We believe every child has the right to appropriate care and a permanent home.
- We believe parents have the primary responsibility for the care and safety of their children.
- We believe the most desirable place for children to grow up is with their own families, when these families are able to provide safe, nurturing, and stable homes.
- We believe in personal accountability for outcomes, including one's growth and development.
- We believe every person has value, worth, and dignity.
- How old does a child have to be before he/she can stay home alone?
- How do I check on Child Support issues?
- 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.
