INDIANAPOLIS -- Gov. Eric Holcomb says he will make $25 million available immediately from the state's surplus to help improve Indiana's Department of Child Services.
The move follows recommendations released Monday by The Child Welfare Policy and Practice Group which was hired by Holcomb in Dec. 2017 to conduct a thorough review of DCS.
Holcomb says the system wasn't working as it should have and "it's time to turn it around."
CWG conducted a six-month assessment of the agency and developed 20 recommendations based upon its findings.
Reviewed 600 stakeholders and federal records, internal plans, random @IndianaDCS cases, quality assurance. Found nearly highest state in rate of abuse and neglect referrals, accepts more reports than national average
— Kara Kenney (@KaraKenney6) June 18, 2018
CWG found that 45 percent of family case managers have caseloads above state standards. Also, some supervisors oversee 11 family case managers. CWG recommends getting that ratio to 1:5.
.@IndianaDCS director Terry Stinson says “we hear you” to employees who are overworked. Hired 34 attorneys since January. Says overwhelmed caseloads is not acceptable @rtv6 . Will expand mental health services for employees pic.twitter.com/FMAmvnyvV3
— Kara Kenney (@KaraKenney6) June 18, 2018
In addition to the $25 million to support DCS in key areas, Former Boone County Prosecutor Todd Meyer has been appointed by DCS Director Terry Stigdon to serve as DCS associate director.
Meyer will focus on implementing the recommendations of the CWG report.
Lawmakers will get a progress report in November says @GovHolcomb —to show how they are implementing recommendations for @indianaDCS . “Thanks for staying at it.” Gov tells DCS workers @rtv6
— Kara Kenney (@KaraKenney6) June 18, 2018
House Speaker Brian Bosma says he will hold a meeting at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, July 2, in Room 404 of the Statehouse, to formally review CWG's assessment.
Read the entire CWG report below or click here
