The newly formed Commission on Improving the Status of Children held its inaugural meeting on August 21, 2013. Governor Mike Pence signed Senate Bill 125 into law effective July 1, 2013. The multi-branch statewide Commission is aimed at improving the status of children in Indiana. In cooperation with other stakeholders, Commission members will study issues concerning vulnerable youth, review and make recommendations concerning pending legislation, and promote information sharing and best practices.
“We are committed to improving the health, safety and well-being of Hoosier children, especially the most vulnerable,” said Governor Pence. “The Commission will promote greater coordination among agencies to ensure that effective services are available and accessible when the child needs them. I am confident in Justice Rush’s leadership on behalf of Hoosier children, and I look forward to working with her further on these important issues.”
Indiana Supreme Court Justice Loretta H. Rush is a Commission member and will serve as the 2013 Chair of the Commission. She announced the members of the Commission:
Justice, Indiana Supreme Court
Hon. Loretta Rush, Chair
Director of the Department of Child Services
Mary Beth Bonaventura
Republican member of the House
Rebecca Kubacki (Syracuse)
Republican member of the Senate
Travis Holdman (Markle)
Democratic member of the House
Gail Riecken (Indianapolis)
Democratic member of the Senate
Tim Lanane (Anderson)
State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Glenda Ritz
Executive Director of Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council
David Powell
Executive Director of Indiana Public Defender Council
Larry Landis
Secretary of Family and Social Services Administration
Debra Minott
State Health Commissioner
Dr. William VanNess II
Director of Department of Correction Division of Youth Services
Mike Dempsey
Executive Director of Division of State Court Administration
Lilia G. Judson
Director of Division of Mental Health and Addiction
Kevin Moore
Chief Probation Officer, Henry County Probation Department
Susan Lightfoot
Director of Indiana State Budget Agency
Brian Bailey
Senior Policy Director, Office of the Governor
Ryan Streeter
Attorney General
Gregory Zoeller
Justice Rush believes there is great potential for this new Commission to make needed improvements: “This unprecedented cross agency collaboration is vital. All three branches of government are coming together to realize overall systems improvements for Indiana’s youth.”
This eighteen-member Commission held its first meeting on August 21, 2013 at the Indiana Government Center South. Meetings are also scheduled for October 16 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in Conference Rooms 1 & 2 and December 11 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in Conference Rooms 1 & 2. All meetings are open to the public.