Inside DCS: How new leadership and new ideas are changing Indiana’s child welfare system
In the wake of DCS’ latest audit, the Indiana Chapter sat down with DCS leadership to talk about what’s next for Indiana’s child welfare system.
Legislation & Policy
NCA and Indiana Chapter’s Position on Family Separation
The Indiana Chapter of the NCA supports the National Children’s Alliance position against family separation. The research is overwhelming and clear that the damage done to children’s mental health is substantial and long-lasting. Children are always healthier, better-developed, and stronger when they are with loving parents.
Huizar: When will we believe them?
Teresa Huizar, NCA Executive Director, for Huffington Post: However, it would be false to think that that this tragic epidemic of disbelief is solely triggered in rare cases that involve powerful celebrity predators or abuse that happened long ago. Not so. Virtually every multi-victim case—whether involving coaches, teachers, daycare providers, pediatricians, pastors, priests, scout leaders, … Read more
Legal precedent set for using forensic interviews as court testimony for the first time in Indiana
An Indiana Court of Appeals panel unanimously agrees forensic interviews can be used as testimony and not violate a defendant’s Sixth Amendment rights.
Six new tips and policies for families to know as Hoosier children return to school
Over 16,000 school buses are back on the streets of Indiana carrying over 1 million young Hoosiers back and forth to school. A variety of bills are in place this school year that lawmakers hope will improve the safety of children’s physical and mental health.
Governor signs Messmer, Lampert-backed bill requiring schools teach abuse education to faculty and students
Governor Holcomb told one child abuse survivor at the signing, “This may seem like a small step for you, but this is a giant leap and a great day for Indiana.”
Indiana 10th nationally for suicide, 1st in suicidal thoughts among teens
Within Indiana, “Accidents” is the number one killer of Hoosiers age 15-24, mostly from automobile deaths. But in second place is suicide.
A closer look at Indiana’s child abuse caseload and where we go from here
“These kids do not have any sort of caregiver looking out for their well-being. They’re not receiving guidance or discipline, they’re not always making it to school, and they’re certainly not being nurtured.”
NCA Executive Director Teresa Huizar shows you how to be a “high-performing team”
National Children’s Alliance Exec. Dir. Teresa Huizar is in Indiana keynoting this year’s Children’s Justice Act Conference.
SWICACC director Tammy Lampert urges Indiana legislators to “add teeth” to 2013 law
“Indiana has a law that passed in 2013 with no teeth to it,” says Tammy Lampert, Executive Director of the Southwest Indiana Child Advocacy Center Coalition (SWICACC). So she’s been asked to help give it some teeth.