CASA Day celebrates volunteers at Statehouse
Court-appointed special advocates directors and volunteers from across the state traveled to the Indiana Statehouse on Tuesday to celebrate the second CASA Day since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Child welfare
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‘They want to be regular kids’: Bill would create ‘concurrent planning’ that pursues reunification, adoption at the same time
Under HB 1310, a permanency plan must include at least one intended permanent arrangement other than reunification. That’s a process known as “concurrent planning,” or pursuing two reunification plans at once.
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‘Find a way to fix it’: DCS continues facing mounting criticism
From concerns about staffing to accusations that it’s failing in its mission to keep children safe, the Indiana Department of Child Services continues to face pressure from child welfare advocates, attorneys and those who have been part of the system.
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Halfway point: A look at key legislation in 2nd half of 2023 session
Here is an update on key legislation affecting not only lawyers, but all Hoosiers statewide. Updates are as of March 10.
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Coming home: Courts, families celebrate National Adoption Day with fanfare, emotion
Since 2012, the Indiana Supreme Court has authorized video and audio coverage of certain uncontested adoptions in recognition of National Adoption Month each November. Numerous trial courts have put together celebrations for families this year.
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Articles
Citing religious, parental rights, Hoosier couple asks SCOTUS for relief after trans child was removed
An Indiana Catholic couple is asking U.S. Supreme Court to take their case after their transgender child was taken from their home because the parents would not use the child’s preferred pronouns.
No error in granting custody to grandmother instead of father, COA affirms
A father who lost custody of his children failed to convince the Court of Appeals of Indiana that the trial court erred by granting custody to the children’s grandmother.
2nd CHINS finding upheld, but contempt ruling against father reversed
A CHINS adjudication was not erroneous, the Court of Appeals of Indiana has ruled, but a contempt finding against a father was.
Kid-focused legislation: Proposed bills aim to improve Indiana child welfare laws
Despite 2024 being a short legislative session, Indiana lawmakers are considering dozens of bills specifically related to child welfare.
IN House committee approves bill to create new CHINS problem-solving court
The Indiana House Judiciary Committee has endorsed a bill that would establish a safe baby court as a type of problem-solving court.
DCS releases annual fatality report
Eight out of 10 people who caused the death of a child by abuse or neglect in Indiana in 2022 were the child’s parents, according to an annual report by the state’s child welfare agency.
Termination of mother’s rights reversed for insufficient service
Orders terminating a mother’s parental rights were void for lack of personal jurisdiction because the Indiana Department of Child Services didn’t properly serve the mother, the Court of Appeals of Indiana has ruled.
Kenworthy appointed to lead Youth Justice Oversight Committee
The Indiana Supreme Court has appointed a new chair of the Youth Justice Oversight Committee.
DCS employees sued in federal court in continued fallout from child death case
Two Indiana Department of Child Services case workers and a former director in LaPorte County are facing a federal lawsuit over a 4-year-old who was tortured and killed by his parents, the most recent development in the legal fallout from the child’s death.
DCS accused of not accounting for documents in case of 4-year-old’s torture death
The Indiana Department of Child Services either can’t find or has failed to produce some documents in a case involving a 4-year-old who was tortured and killed shortly after the department placed him in his parents’ home, a plaintiff’s filing alleges.
Courts and the Judiciary not meeting in 2023 as legislative study committees get underway
Indiana lawmakers are returning to the Statehouse this month to begin meeting in their interim study committees, but one group that won’t be gathering is the Interim Study Committee on Courts and the Judiciary.
‘A foster care system in crisis’: Lawsuit alleges DCS is failing to keep children safe
A federal lawsuit brought by Indiana foster children alleges the Indiana Department of Child Services is failing to keep children safe by not correcting systemic failures that have been known to state officials for decades.
Child Advocates CEO Booth to retire
Cindy Booth, the longtime leader of Child Advocates Inc., will retire next year after 30 years with the nonprofit.
How and when to remove children from their homes? A federal lawsuit raises thorny questions
A lawsuit filed by the Pacific Legal Foundation is part of a legal strategy to set precedent nationwide “confirming the importance of parental rights and clarifying the need to include a neutral judge in child removal decisions.”
DCS director to resign, chief of staff named successor
Indiana Department of Child Services Director Terry Stigdon will resign from the agency, Gov. Eric Holcomb announced Monday. Her last day is Friday. The agency’s current chief of staff, Eric Miller, has been named the new director.
IU Maurer practicum gives experience in direct representation for kids: Students ‘elevate’ clients’ voices
A group of second- and third-year students at Indiana University Maurer School of Law have spent the spring semester representing youth in three counties as part of a practicum through Indianapolis-based Child Advocates.
Bill tightening limits on depositions of alleged child victims reaches governor’s desk
A bill further restricting depositions of alleged victims of child sex abuse has officially made it to Gov. Eric Holcomb’s desk.
New family domestic violence court launched in Allen County
The Allen Superior Court has launched a new family domestic violence problem-solving court. The Family Domestic Violence Court is meant to provide support, recovery and services to survivors and perpetrators of domestic violence and their families.
Children’s Commission appoints new executive director
The Commission on Improving the Status of Children in Indiana has appointed a new executive director.