Results of DCS outside assessment to be released Monday

Key findings from an outside assessment of Indiana’s Department of Child Services will be released Monday, when representatives from the Child Welfare Policy and Practice Group will present the results of the assessment requested by Gov. Eric Holcomb.

Holcomb asked for the DCS study after former director Mary Beth Bonaventura abruptly resigned, accusing Holcomb of cutting funds and putting children’s lives at risk.

“I have followed your (Holcomb) instructions and attempted to reduce our budget in any way that does not impact child safety,” Bonaventura wrote in what has been described as a "scathing" resignation letter. “However, the chief of staff, upon direction from OMB and SBA, is bent on slashing our budget in ways that all but ensure children will die.”

During the 2018 session of the Indiana General Assembly, Democrats repeatedly called for an investigation of the agency. Republican leadership refused, saying they wanted to wait until CWG had finished its review, but the Legislative Council has since agreed to assign the department to an interim study committee for further review.

The findings will be released at an invitation-only event at 1:30 p.m. June 18 in the Indiana Government Center auditorium, 302 W. Washington St., Indianapolis. The presentation and remarks will be live-streamed online for all Hoosiers to view. Holcomb and DCS Director Terry Stigdon, who was appointed to lead the department after Bonaventura’ resignation, will address the findings during the presentation.