What Can Your SNAP Specialist Do For You?
In 1989, Indiana established a program for hard to place children who are in the custody of the state. This is a federally mandated program that Indiana legislated under IC 31-19-27. Over 7,000 Indiana special needs children have been placed with adoptive families since 1990.
The Special Needs Adoption Program (SNAP) includes a permanency manager and seven adoption specialists serving in Indiana's 92 counties. The SNAP Specialists assist in the adoptive placement of waiting children by working collaboratively with case managers, families and service providers.
What Your SNAP Specialist Can Do For You
- Clarify DCS policy regarding adoption
- Meet and photograph children needing recruitment
- Participate in case conference relating to permanency, when needed
- Network and dialogue with various agencies, professionals and other state to help recruit families waiting for children
- Feature children at adoption fairs and public events to increase the pool of approved families and aid recruitment
- Assist in interviewing families for waiting children
- Help identify adoption resources available for children and families
- Provide support to waiting families
- Act as a liaison between families and the children's case managers
- Provide training, when needed, and support staff in their adoption work
- Maintain team meeting minutes for county/state use
- Keep organized statistics about county, region and state adoption work
- Participate in various educational settings, such as conferences and parent trainings, to promote current adoption practices and thinking
http://www.adoptachild.in.gov/
SNAP Contact Information
| Contact | Position - Area Served | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| SNAP Specialist - Northwest Lake County DCS | P.O. Box 2270 661 Broadway Gary, IN 46409 |
317-234-4505 (W) | |
| Krysta E. Young | SNAP Specialist - Northeast Allen County DCS | 201 E. Rudisill Blvd. Ste. 100 Fort Wayne, IN 46806 |
260-458-6498 (W) 260-458-6175 (F) |
| Brenda Stoner | SNAP Specialist - Southwest Vanderburgh Co. DCS | 4 N.E. 21st Street Washington, IN 47501 |
812-480-4864 (W) |
| Elizabeth (Beth) Dillon | SNAP Specialist - Southeast Johnson Co. DCS | 1784 E. Jefferson Street Franklin, IN 46131 |
317-738-7113 (W) 317-738-0377 (F) |
| Denise Halliburton | SNAP Specialist - West Central | 402 W. Washington St. Rm. W-364 Indianapolis, IN 46204-2739 |
317-232-4415 (W) 317-232-4436 (F) |
| Marjorie (Marty) Ogden | SNAP Specialist - East Central Decatur Co. DCS | 1025 E. Freeland Road Greensburg, IN 47240 |
812-663-6768 (W) |
| Ann Arvidson | Pre-Post Adoption SNAP Specialist Central Office | 402 W. Washington St., Rm W-364 Indianapolis, IN 46204-2739 |
317-234-4500 (W) 317-232-4436 (F) |
Top FAQsI Want To...
- 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?
Top FAQs I Want To...
- 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.
