Local Office Strategies
| County | Strategy |
|---|---|
| Adams | Office assisted in funding Even Start Family Literacy Program, which is designed to strengthen and preserve families by offering adult education, early childhood education, parenting education and support and supervised parent/child interaction |
| Allen | A community-wide Allen County Superior Court assets building initiative; Healthy Families; Case Management Initiative |
| Bartholomew | Healthy Families; the local office in collaboration with Juvenile Court and Probation has made a commitment to provide a match of up to $15,000 to enable Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation to hire staff to address attendance issues; purchased promotional supplies from Child Abuse Prevention Council; local office provides a 25% match for Family Preservation and Support funding for Title IVB, which focuses heavily upon child abuse/neglect prevention; begun a community sexual abuse treatment program through Quinco Mental Health Center |
| Benton | Healthy Families Program; Family Preservation and Support Team accepts referrals to provide services to needy families |
| Blackford | Handed out "My 8 Rules of Safety" to school age children and visiting all schools along with local police department; conducted in-service training with local jail staff; office workers trained local day care providers about signs of abuse/neglect, documentation and reporting procedures; attended local career, health, and county fairs with information; parenting classes provided by office free of charge to any parent in the community or to anyone referred by the court or office, or the school system |
| Boone | Distributed child abuse and neglect prevention information at a county-wide fair |
| Brown | Additional funding for Healthy Families for increased parenting classes and parental support groups; CPS staff provided educational in-service to local YMCA staff, Brown Co. school corporation, Sheriff's Department; community outreach; distribution of child abuse/neglect material to schools, open houses, 4-H Fair, and Parent/Health Fair |
| Cass | Joined Cass Co. Circuit Court in providing parenting classes; funding "Father to Father" parenting program to fathers who are court-ordered to attend; increased funding to Healthy Families |
| Clark | Parenting classes and family support services, free of charge, to Clark Co. residents; expanded Healthy Families services; increased Hoosier Healthwise enrollment; blended funding for family support services to allow more families to obtain services |
| Clinton | CPT and Child Fatality Team meet monthly to discuss reports, investigations, placements of children, and ongoing cases related to abuse and neglect; Healthy Families; Schools, Probation Office and local office meet monthly to discuss kids that are at-risk; Domestic Violence Council meets monthly to discuss strategies to help families involved with domestic violence; Child Abuse Prevention Council educates community and has fund raisers to raise community awareness; Shaken Infant Prevention Training offered to schools and other organizations; private agency, "Preservation Partners" which offers home-based services for children at-risk and their families; parenting seminars throughout year |
| Daviess | "It's my Child too Program" –a fatherhood program provided twice a year to educate fathers about their role; Healthy Families; "Peaceable Place Program" addressing anger management for small children presented to elementary school teachers and day care providers; " Grandparent Raising Grandchildren" program and Grandparent Support Group provided by Extension Office and funded by Step Ahead |
| Dearborn | Public forums three times/year on child abuse/prevention topics; professional's workshop on child abuse and Shaken Infant Syndrome; Criminal Justice Grant to provide families involved in domestic violence assistance in Family Preservation Services; local newspaper articles titled, "Family Matters," highlighting local services; organized local monthly coordination council entitled, "Professionals Dedicated to Youth Improvements" |
| DeKalb | Healthy Families; Shots for Tots; parenting classes; safety campaigns; home-based parent education services; Hoosier Healthwise |
| Delaware | Healthy Families; Firearms workshop conducted at local hospital; Parent workshop entitled, "How to Handle Your Child’s Difficult Times"; Quality Child Care and Hoosier Healthwise applications made available in public library; supports efforts of Family Counseling Services to two different day care programs, which identifies children ‘s behavioral problems and provides intervention for at-risk families |
| Dubois | Family Festival with pamphlets on child abuse/neglect available; presentations at schools, hospitals, and other civic organizations on recognizing signs of child abuse and how to report; Healthy Families; Step Ahead services; First Steps; working on increasing number of licensed day care homes in the county; provide voluntary services to families in an effort to prevent future abuse/neglect situations |
| Fayette | Child Fatality Review team created in May of ’99, Director of office did radio interview regarding the team; booth at local child health care fair; interviewed by local newspaper about how an investigation is handled and who should report abuse/neglect |
| Floyd | "New Kids on the Block" awareness puppet presentation to elementary school students, active in April Child Abuse activities |
| Fountain | Co-hosted, with Charter Hospital, workshop on parenting; Fountain Co. Extension Office offers monthly column on parenting issues |
| Franklin | Provide domestic violence training for area agencies hosted by office and Indiana Law Enforcement Academy, and Whitewater Care Pavilion; Step Ahead Council implemented child care standards for licensed-exempt day care homes |
| Gibson | Co-sponsored with First Steps a parenting workshop; distributed information at Health Fair; Participated in SAFE Kids Care Seat Check up; SAFE Kids Festival; Participated with Sheriff’s Department this summer in the COPS (Community Oriented Policing) program bringing information to parents and kids about abuse/neglect; Initiated Wrap Around services for families at-risk; monthly client newsletter with articles about parenting |
| Greene | Step Ahead and local office provide weekly parenting classes that are open to the public; Step Ahead brings a nationally known speaker to Linton, IN, each year to provide a free workshop to service providers. This year the workshop was, "Why are our kids so angry, and what can we do about it?" |
| Hamilton | Provide family preservation and support services through a grant from the Step Ahead Council; Early Intervention Committee which identifies children who are at high risk of becoming involved in abuse and neglect situations; home-based services |
| Hendricks | Healthy Families expanded to serve more families; Coalition Against Family Violence presents community education programs |
| Henry | Preventative services through Family Placement Center; quarterly parenting classes; annual candlelight service to provide community awareness; provide respite care to families in need; case managers provide lectures and round table discussions on abuse/neglect to schools and service organizations; representation at all local health fairs |
| Howard | Child Abuse Prevention Coordinator distributes information and educates community; presentations to agencies, schools, medical staff, etc.; All Howard school corporations have been offered an in-service training regarding the educator’s role; Shaken Infant Syndrome literature distributed to each new mother; Healthy Families; Early Intervention Team presentations; Nurturing Program and Family Education/Homemaker Services; articles in Kokomo Tribune about reporting and investigations of child abuse and neglect |
| Jackson | Home Based Therapist contracted by local office to provide services to families at risk of loosing care and custody of their children; another therapist contracted by local office provides Child and Family Therapy to those at risk of removal from their home |
| Jasper | Family Preservation and Support Team refers needy families to prevention of abuse and neglect services; Healthy Families Program |
| Jay | "Home-Based/Aftercare Services" program providing assistance to families in need; Comprehensive Mental Health Services has a "Family Centered Services" program for at-risk families |
| Jefferson | New Hope Child and Family Services implementing Healthy Families program working specifically with "at-risk" mothers; Quinco Behavioral Health Systems, DCS and Probation Department provide MRO case management services to Probation and CHINS caseloads |
| Jennings | Interviews with local newspaper and radio station; provide training to the teachers as part of their in-service requirements during the school year |
| Johnson | Candlelight vigil for victims of abuse/neglect; participation in fatality reviews; expansion of Next Steps, a home-based prevention program; CPT launching an awareness project aimed at Shaken Baby Syndrome; newspaper articles by Daily Journal; prosecutor trying to change the murder law in regard to children; Stand for Children; booth at Children’s Fall Festivals; booth at Co. fair; distribution of Shaken Baby Syndrome information with Hoosier Healthwise information; expansion of Healthy Families |
| Knox | Newspaper advertisements for PCA; local cable TV ads about how to praise children, assist families, and home-based services; implemented Family Bonus Items project (Trashbusters), providing families incentives for improving home environment; public displays at local banks about child abuse/neglect prevention; Family Case Managers meet with Carlisle prisoners monthly, who are transitioning out of prison to home environment; One day workshop on October 8th on improving communication and explaining current philosophy around protecting children and preserving families |
| Kosciusko | Local Mental Health Association offers parenting classes one time per week at county jail; Healthy Families; Personal Safety presentation for freshman girls; Child Abuse Prevention Council held a candlelight vigil in April |
| LaGrange | Local office holds parenting classes six times/year for court-ordered parents and general public |
| Lake | Healthy Families will be expanded in 2000, collaborative initiative with mental health community to provide direct services to families at risk prior to formal involvement |
| LaPorte | Provided 8 presentations on Shaken Infant Syndrome; Organized a family fun fair; Provided 8 Nurturing Parent Sessions; Provided 6 week parenting class; Organized a poster and essay contest to increase public awareness of child maltreatment issues; sponsored a support group for women who had been victims of abuse in childhood to reduce transmission of generational abuse |
| Lawrence | Family Case Manager is board member of Council for Prevention of Child Abuse; more investigation of the unclear cases of child abuse/neglect; working to bring Dr. John Covey for presentations on "Seven Habits of Effective Families" |
| Madison | Child Fatality Review Team reviewed all Madison Co. child fatalities and identified Shaken Baby Syndrome and Gun Safety as the two most relevant issues to this county; CPT spoke at Victim’s Rights Awareness Workshop; candlelight vigil for victims of abuse; Sheriff is collecting data on any juvenile that is injured, accidentally or intentionally with any type of firearm; Madison Co. Trauma Team and CPS presented a panel discussion at INCASA Annual Conference; CPS working with Anderson Herald Bulletin to publish a series of newspaper articles addressing abuse/neglect issues |
| Marion | Neighborhood Alliance for Child Safety serves families who have unsubstantiated reports of abuse and neglect; Youth Emergency Services (YES) Program assists with CPS investigations by doing home studies; in collaboration with Step Ahead and the voucher agent, office has implemented a Quality Enhancement program which investigates day care homes and centers who receive voucher dollars; collaborates with Prevent Child Abuse Indiana to display bill boards, posters, and public service announcements; Local Office Director has appeared on Hispanic Television Program to educate community on concerns of abuse and neglect |
| Marshall | Letter to residents of a local at-risk neighborhood; CPS meet annually with Migrant Council and parents to discuss how to make an abuse/neglect report; training for school counselors and administrative staff; State Police presentation to schools grades 7-12 informing youngsters of sexual abuse and how a victim can seek help; improved communication efforts among school staff, probation staff, and CPS staff; aim at achieving 100% trained status for all foster parents to be educational advocates for foster children |
| Martin | Presentation to local schools on role and function of CPS, signs of abuse/neglect; parenting series offered on different parenting needs of infants-young adults; workshop for divorcing parents entitled "Children in the Middle," required by court for all divorcing parents; parenting newsletter published monthly by County Extension Office; Kid’s First Festival |
| Miami | Healthy Families offers hospital visits and follow-up visits to every child born in the county, or born to Miami Co. residents; video on Shaken Infant Syndrome shown to CPT, Step Ahead, foster parents, Child Abuse Prevention Council; (3) parenting classes a year; "table tents" to local restaurants that have ideas for parents to help them prepare for children’s short attention spans; "Family University" open to all families in the county, Hoosier Healthwise, drug and firearms awareness |
| Monroe | April calendar of events for Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month advertised on radio, print, and billboards; CPS provide child abuse/neglect prevention brochures to public throughout the year; DCS staff present information at Indiana University and local junior and senior high schools; free parenting workshop offered in September entitled, "Developing Capable Young People"; weekly PLUS (Parents Linked in Understanding and Support) meeting free to all |
| Montgomery | Has established relationships and protocols with schools, service providers, faith based community leaders, law enforcement, crisis shelters, community parks and recreation, and other juvenile related community participants; office director works closely with Juvenile Court Judge and Juvenile Probation to identify and transfer cases when deemed appropriate |
| Noble | July, 1999 seminar for professionals of Noble Co. entitled, "Reunification of Sexually Abusive Families"; annual conference dealing with child abuse/neglect |
| Ohio | DCS, Learning Tree, Ohio Co. Step Ahead, and corporate partners created a program to alleviate financial and emotional stress for low-income families during the beginning of the school year. Program gives school items to families including book bag, tennis shoes, new shirt, free hair cut, fee dental check-up, free eye-exam, school supplies as grade appropriate, and new pair of Levi Jeans |
| Orange | Local office and Prevention of Child Abuse Council have joined to promote prevention by sponsoring nine (9) billboards throughout the county over the next year which give tips and a stress-line telephone number; parenting workshop; school presentations |
| Owen | Early Intervention and Child Protection Team offer services to at-risk families; supports and participates in Purdue Extension and Hamilton Mental Health Center parenting classes; case workers spend time educating all callers about resources to deal with abuse/neglect issues; offer yearly abuse/neglect training workshops for LEA, schools, and Headstart |
| Parke | Expansion of Healthy Families; review of all screened complaints by Child Protection Team; Actively recruiting Hoosier Healthwise clients; Joint committee of Prosecutor, Law Enforcement, Mental Health, Schools, Office of Family and Children to address problems of delinquent and pre-delinquent youth; increased home-based prevention services; improvement of qualified Drug and Alcohol Screening and Treatment in community |
| Perry | Collaborated with Child Abuse Council and Purdue Extension to do a media blitz regarding abuse and neglect prevention, this included: news, radio, advertising signs and tray liners in fast food restaurants |
| Pike | County-wide "Blue Ribbon" parenting seminar covering topics in: stress management, nutrition, Shaken Infant Syndrome, and coping with divorce stresses; Two in-service training classes were held for EMS personnel and elementary school teachers regarding early signs of abuse and neglect |
| Posey | Step Ahead; Healthy Families parent education programs; have more than tripled expenditures for prevention and reunification services within the past two years; provide home services to more families who are at-risk and have extended services to families with delinquency problems |
| Pulaski | Healthy Families presents ongoing Nurturing Classes open to public; Extension Services provides the "Have a Healthy Baby" program through school corporations |
| Putnam | Education and training for offenders in prison who are ready for release from incarceration, educators and day care providers, and local law enforcement; change in county policy to look more closely at drug-related and domestic violence issues; offer services to at-risk families |
| Randolph | Randolph County Child Protection Team has accepted the responsibilities as the Randolph Co. Child Fatality Review Team; Healthy Families; collaboration of office Director, Juvenile Court Judge, YMCA Executive Director and other local persons to begin new parenting program offered through YMCA |
| Ripley | PCA of Ripley Co. distributed to public "palm cards" with information and resources for victims of domestic violence and child abuse; sponsored Shaken Infant Syndrome training in local schools |
| Rush | Healthy Families; distribution of informational pamphlets at county fair and business sites; article by Child Protection Team in local paper offering suggestions on how to prevent abuse/neglect; Child Abuse Hot Line number printed on magnets and distributed to 3,300 households in the county |
| St. Joseph | St. Joseph county offers many services to clients through referrals to community agencies and assists them with accessing resources. Prevention can depend upon how the client participates in the offered services, which can stop a reoccurrence. CPS front-line workers, supervisors, and local agencies participate in in-service training. The PCA St. Joseph County, prevention programs consist of, but are not exclusive to the following: Roof Sit 2001 - it is an annual awareness fund-raiser to help fight child abuse in St. Joseph County and the surrounding areas. This event includes entertainment, a candle light vigil and testimonials from various participants. The 2001 PCA public awareness campaign slogan: "Your kids lose, if you use". Drugs and alcohol are the contributing factors in 85% of the reported cases of child abuse and neglect. This message is delivered on the radio, printed brochures, and during various campaign events, e.g., Healthy Community Days. The IUSB Early Childhood Conference is an annual event presented by The Task Force on Child Abuse Prevention. In 2001, sessions were presented on 1., identifying physical abuse 2., when is it neglect and what can be done about it. The PCS Parent Tool Kit (underwritten by local sponsors) is distributed with groceries and offers information to help parents in their parenting role. Subjects are: Positive re-direction Offering choices logical or natural consequences Directed problem solving Anticipating trouble Defining rules, etc. |
| Scott | Uses Family Unification Program to prevent overcrowded living conditions—sharing of beds with infants is identified as a factor in SIDS deaths; Family Case Manager has experience with Healthy Families, First Steps, and Head Start |
| Shelby | Provides community, schools, child care providers, First Step Providers, and mental health workers with a resource folder containing information and resource numbers regarding abuse/neglect; established Child Fatality Review Protocol |
| Spencer | Five thousand inserts regarding Internet Safety Tips were included in the Perry-Spencer Communications, Inc. April internet billings; presentations regarding abuse/neglect to local groups and schools; child abuse and neglect prevention materials distributed to local agencies, libraries, and doctor’s offices |
| Steuben | Local office and Michiana Big Brothers, Big Sisters collaborating on a "school based mentoring program" for at risk youth; project goals include: greater self esteem, increased confidence and to positively impact family relationships |
| Sullivan | Training of abuse prevention for prisoners who are due for release; working with local churches to identify abuse/neglect and establish a protocol for reporting; provide parenting classes focusing on early prevention; training to CASA volunteers on recognizing abuse/neglect; informational booths at local festivals; program for IMPACT clients called "Seasons of Change," which focuses on increasing self esteem |
| Switzerland | Round-table discussion with sheriff and prosecutor candidates regarding views on abuse/neglect; participation in local health fairs; annual presentations to schools informing students about signs of abuse/neglect; information to all parents of newborn infants; articles focusing on prevention in the local paper; "Prevent Child Abuse" billboard; Place-mats detailing ways for parents to provide positive reinforcements for their children were created for local restaurants; a prevention float was entered in Wine Festival; program at local schools for teachers, staff, and parents |
| Tippecanoe | Established a multi-service Child Advocacy Center founded by law enforcement, Prosecutor’s Office, human services; Juvenile Judge, 3 school corporations, law enforcement, probation and DCS/Child Welfare are creating a unified system dealing with educational neglect targeting truants; local office has developed protocol for referral between Impact and CP Services |
| Tipton | Created a Community Resource Directory; Teen Info Cards to all middle and high schools; Domestic Violence Referral Card was printed and distributed throughout county; Healthy Families; Family Preservation Inc. assists reunification of families; education to prevent child abuse/neglect through printed materials to public and child care facilities; active promotion of Hoosier Healthwise |
| Union | In collaboration with Community Care, parent and Hoosier Healthwise information was distributed at 4th of July Liberty Festival; child fatality information shared with Child Protection Team |
| Vanderburgh | Mayor presented proclamation re: April to be Abuse/Neglect Prevention Month every year in Evansville—covered by newspaper, radio, and TV stations; in-service training to school staff and administration; Child Protection Team actively reviews referrals and reviewing deaths of any children |
| Vermillion | Preventative services offered through Healthy Families and local Mental Health Center; distribution of Hoosier Healthwise material to all local schools; encouraged staff to look for signs of abuse and neglect in clients |
| Wabash | Informational booth at various local fairs; parenting classes during Spring and Summer of 1999 on Early Brain Development and parenting issues; child care voucher agent provides comprehensive child care training programs including: fire safety, behavior, stress and time management, ADD and special needs training; CPS and CAPS provided a family series through local newspaper about child abuse/neglect prevention; parenting classes on various child abuse/neglect topics; Nurturing Program for parents of children 5 years old or younger; Newborn Packets given to parents of newborns through Wabash Co. Hospital; Baby Think It Over parenting program for students in Wabash Co. schools |
| Warren | Behavioral Intervention Committee develops a process for cooperation in the delivery of wrap-around services for children identified as at-risk; the local office, Metropolitan School District of Warren Co., and the local Step Ahead Council have joined together to develop and finance Home/School Advisor Program, aimed at identifying and assisting children at risk in the grade schools |
| Washington | Parenting Classes for both parents and their children; Family Team is appointed to work with families on their issues and do case management services |
| Wayne | Offer in-service training to each school district; local news articles regarding domestic violence, abuse/neglect; present in-service training to GAL/CASA staff, Birth To Five, and Healthy Families, as well as IU East Social Work classes; workshops on discipline vs. child abuse at local community mental health center |
| Wells | Ongoing public community education through Step Ahead, Child Protection Team/Early Intervention, Healthy Families, Mentoring Moms, Nurturing Parent classes, Girl Scouts, 4-H, and school systems; speak to faith based community, school in-service training for teachers and staff, students and families |
| White | Healthy Families; intensive case work services; Divorcing/Separating Parents Workshop with Supreme Court improvement money; parenting classes for teenagers; encourage Juvenile Probation Department to send delinquents to the above programs; starting parenting and pre-parenting classes at local high schools; more follow-up efforts with cases that are unsubstantiated but possibly at-risk |
| Whitley | Whitley Co. Hospital provides parenting class; hospital personnel make at least one home visit after every birth |
Top FAQs I Want To...
- 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.
