CCDF vouchers for licesned foster parents
DCS Foster Licensing Staff are working closely with FSSA’s Office of Early Childhood & Out-of-School Learning (OECOSL) to allocate newly legislated Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) vouchers for licensed foster parents. Foster families currently on the waiting list will be given priority enrollment based on their waiting list date. Families on the waiting list will maintain their spot in the order in which they were received, and additional children will be invited as spots open. DCS will assist in providing the necessary information, as needed, for the foster families invited to start the enrollment process with the respective CCDF eligibility office.
All foster families who could benefit from child care vouchers are encouraged to continue to apply for the vouchers through the CCDF program. Information on the application process can be found on the Office of Early Childhood & Out-of-School Learning website: https://www.in.gov/fssa/carefinder/child-care-assistance/. DCS will continue to partner closely with OECOSL to continue to process foster family referrals with the new funding.
Foster Care Month Events
Every May, DCS makes it a priority to celebrate foster parents, letting them know their dedication and compassion toward Hoosier children never goes unnoticed or unappreciated. That's why many of our offices across the state are hosting foster care appreciation events during May.
View all events here. For more event details, please contact your foster care specialist.
Back to School Events
School is almost back in session, and we want to make sure all our foster care families have what they need for the upcoming year. Join us for one (or more) of our back to school events!
View all events here. For more event details, please contact your foster care specialist.
National Foster Care Month 2024
Happy Foster Care Month to all our wonderful foster parents! It’s important that your hard work and dedication are acknowledged and appreciated – not only during this month, but every month. You’ve chosen to answer the call by providing safe, loving and supportive homes to children who need them the most. For that alone, we are forever grateful.
The DCS foster care team has planned a variety of events for foster families in honor of Foster Care Month. Please reach out to your foster care specialist to register.
View the calendar here.
National Adoption Month Super Saturday Celebration
DCS resource and adoptive parent training invite you and your family to the RAPT Super Saturday National Adoption Month (NAM) celebration on Nov. 18, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.! This family focused event will be held virtually and in person. Resource parents can also earn up to three training hours. The event will have:
- A resource fair with information about supports, service providers, Firefly Children and Family Alliance Indiana Adoption Program, post-adoptive services and family resource centers
- Art activities with Art With a Purpose
- Information about the DCS expediated foster care licensing initiative
- Self care and mindfulness activities
- Free food, prizes and fun
View the information flyer here.
Design our Annual Year-in-Review Magazine Cover
Are you fostering an aspiring young artist or a child who loves to express themselves creatively? We're looking for children in foster care to illustrate an original picture about "what family to means to you." The winning design will be featured on the front cover of our annual DCS Year-in-Review.
Submissions using any medium (markers, crayons, computers, etc.) are welcome. View more information and the full design submission package here: https://bit.ly/my-family-my-story. Please email a high quality photo of the design submission form to dcs.graphics@dcs.in.gov.
