The Annie E. Casey Foundation The Annie E. Casey Foundation

Indiana Child Welfare

Improving Practice to Improve Outcomes

Posted January 1, 2012
By the Annie E. Casey Foundation
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AECF Indiana Child Welfare 2012 Cover

Summary

Indiana’s previous child welfare system was gaining attention for all the wrong reasons, including its penchant for pulling children from their homes. Cue new leadership and a new partnership with the Annie E. Casey Foundation, which championed a dramatic rebuilding of the state’s child services system and introduced its caseworkers to a radical new concept: Work with families—not against them.  

Findings & Stats

Statements & Quotations

Key Takeaway

Child Welfare Strategy Group works within children and families services systems at the state and local level

Keys to launching Indiana’s new child services system include:

  1. Leadership buy-in;
  2. Legislation to limit caseloads and unify funding;
  3. Advanced education and training requirements;
  4. A dedicated quality-assurance team;
  5. Data-driven decision making; and
  6. A family-first doctrine for aiding children.

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