The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services honored Chief Justice Randall T. Shepard as Indiana’s recipient of the Administration on Children, Youth and Families Commissioner’s Award. 

Joseph Bock, Acting Associate Commissioner of the Administration on Children, Youth and Families Children’s Bureau, expressed appreciation to the 37 honorees, including Chief Justice Shepard, “Our country is experiencing some of the most critical times in many decades.  The work of protecting the most vulnerable children and supporting their families is more important than ever.  The Commissioner’s Awardees have a long and rich history of serving people in need.  It is through the unwavering individual dedication and collaborative efforts of these champions of children and families that we continue to address the needs of society and bring our nation’s social problems to the public’s attention.”

The award was presented at the 17th National Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect in Atlanta, Georgia.  While Chief Justice Shepard was not able to attend the conference, he appreciates the recognition from the Administration For Children, Youth, and Families.  Chief Justice Shepard also sends his congratulations to the other recipients.  “Each state has its own complex issues associated with abuse and neglect.  Still, we are all working towards the same goal and with each state doing its best to solve the problems it faces we will make a difference for children and families in our country.”

The Indiana Supreme Court is dedicated to looking for the best way to serve children and families in the court system through a number of projects and initiatives.  The Court is proud to collaborate with lawmakers, the Governor and the Department of Child Services on many of the projects. 

• The Indiana Court Improvement Program accepts grant applications for projects designed to improve the safety, well-being and permanency of children and families involved in abuse and neglect proceedings. 

• The Family Court Project provides funds to courts to develop pilot programs to better serve children and families with an emphasis on developing models to coordinate multiple cases involving the same family.  The agency also produced an informational video, “Family Matters: Choosing To Represent Yourself In Court” to help families make informed decisions about going to court without an attorney.

• The Division of State Court Administration is responsible for designing and updating the forms used in protection order proceedings and is exploring ways to improve the protection order process.  The Division also provides grants, training and support to local volunteer based Guardian ad Litem/Court Appointed Special Advocate programs across the state.

For more information on these programs or the Indiana Supreme Court visit courts.in.gov.