Next Meeting
The Children's Commission's next meeting will take place on August 20, 2025 at 10:00am at Indiana Government Center South Conference Room B, 302 W Washington St, Indianapolis, IN 46204.
Latest News & Headlines
Commission is seeking its next Youth Representative cohort!
We currently have two incredible youth Commission members who bring lived experience from Indiana’s child welfare, juvenile justice, or family/social services systems. These youth leaders play a key role in shaping our work—voting on policy recommendations, participating in discussions, and providing informed counsel that makes a real difference. Their term is ending soon, so it is time for a new cohort! To apply, recommend someone, or for general information, click here.
Legislative Session 2025
The Children's Commission tracks legislation affecting children and child-serving professionals and systems. Here is a list of Commission related bills and their status at the end of the 2025 session. For more information on chamber and committee activities, visit www.iga.in.gov.
Day of the Child Events 2025
The Commission on Improving the Status of Children in Indiana was proud to partner with the Marion County Commission on Youth (MCCOY), the Indiana Youth Institute (IYI), and VOICES Corporation to facilitate its annual Day of the Child Events. Thanks to those who joined us at the Statehouse on Monday (Feb 17) and the Strategic Sharing Academy on Tuesday (Feb 18). Watch the State of the Child Recording and access the 2025 Kids Count Data Book.
February Meeting
At its February meeting, the Children's Commission heard updates on the BEST Youth Initiative's discovery report and next steps, a presentation on the City Connects program from Marian University, and legislative updates on issues of chronic absenteeism, juvenile justice, youth advocacy, and time to permanency. For more information, visit the meeting page.
January Meeting
At its January meeting, the Children's Commission welcomed new members and heard updates on the BEST Youth Initiative, Youth/Family/Caregiver Engagement efforts, and the current status of the Youth Justice Oversight Committee (YJOC). It also heard presentations on two bills that the Commission assisted in authoring, a recap of the Strategic Sharing Summit, and future plans for Day of the Child events. Lastly, members heard updates from the co-chairs of each task force and committee, who shared areas of focus and future needs. To access the recording and more information, visit the meeting page.
Stories of Our Lives: Strategic Sharing Summit
In the fall of 2024, The Children’s Commission hosted a 3-part virtual summit, focused on the power of personal storytelling, the significance of lived experiences, and practical strategies for harnessing stories to drive meaningful change and systemic transformation. The summit featured a keynote speaker, training on strategic sharing, and a peer-led young adult panel discussion. To watch the recorded sessions, visit the Summit Playlist.
October Meeting
At its October meeting, the Children's Commission welcomed Kathryn Box from the Governor's Office and thanked John Hammond for his many years of service. Dr. Jack Turman, Director of the Grassroot Maternal and Child Health Initiative at Indiana University, presented on housing stability programming for families with children. Consultant Uma Ahluwalia from the Forum for Youth Investment provided an update on the BEST Youth Initiative, summarizing main themes from stakeholder interviews regarding chronic absenteeism. Lastly, Mark Fairchild mentioned the Commission's upcoming Strategic Sharing Summit and offered a budget proposal to increase support for statewide family and youth engagement efforts, which was approved unanimously. For more information, visit the meeting page.
August Meeting
At its August meeting, the Children's Commission heard updates from Youth Representative Aly Leonard on the BEST Youth Initiative, the Department of Child Services (DCS) on prevention programs, Dr. Rachel Yoder on the "Be Happy" program, and State Director Rae Feller on Guardian ad Litem (GAL) and Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) supports. Also, the Commission's July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024 Annual Report is now available, and the Commission's inaugural cohort of Senator Jean Breaux Collaboration Fellows was announced. For more information, visit the meeting page.
Commission Selected for BEST Youth Initiative
The Forum for Youth Investment (FYI) selected Indiana as one of five states to participate in the Building Ecosystems Statewide for Thriving (BEST) Youth Initiative. This three-year technical assistance program will support the Children's Commission, Department of Education (DOE), Department of Health (DOH), Division of Mental Health and Addiction (DMHA), four youth representatives, and a parent representative collaborating on the issue of chronic absenteeism. For more information, read the full announcement.
June Meeting
At the June meeting, the Children's Commission heard presentations from the Department of Health on the 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, LifeSmart Youth on healthy teen relationships, and the Indiana Youth Institute (IYI) on the KIDS COUNT Data Book. The Commission also heard updates on the Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Subcommittee, the Bullying and Suicide Prevention and Online Safety Task Force, and the BEST Youth Initiative. For more information, visit the meeting page.
April Meeting
At the April meeting, the Children's Commission heard presentations from the Division of Mental Health and Addiction (DMHA) about suicide, bullying, and social media and the Indiana Youth Services Association (IYSA) about prevention programming. The Commission also voted to approve the creation of a new task force, heard updates on legislative actions during the 2024 session, and discussed future Day of the Child events. The meeting closed with recognition of the passing of Senator Jean Breaux, announcing the Commission internship to be renamed the Senator Jean Breaux Collaboration Fellowship. For more information, visit the meeting page.
Remembering Commission Member Senator Jean Breaux
On March 20th, 2024, we were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of State Senator Jean Breaux. One of the longest serving members of the Commission on Improving the Status of Children, Senator Breaux epitomized our commitment to finding bipartisan and collaborative solutions to the complex problems faced by Hoosier youth and their families. A statement from Governor Holcomb included the following:
“State Senator Jean Breaux dedicated nearly two distinguished decades of her life serving others. Her passion for representing and helping her constituents, including serving on the Commission on Improving the Status of Children in Indiana and her commitment to public health, was a model and joy to be around. The statehouse will not be the same without her in the chamber, but her spirit and legacy will live on through the countless Hoosiers she inspired.”
Senator Breaux first joined the Commission in 2017 and took part in over 50 actions that helped shape a better Indiana for our children. Although her contributions will be irreplaceable, Senator Breaux’s legacy of service, civility, and cooperation will be remembered in all of our future efforts.