When grandparents stand in the gap When parents become unavailable to care for their children—whether through addiction, incarceration, or some other tragic circumstance—very often the children’s grandparents or other relatives absorb the children into their households. This may happen formally through CHINS, guardianship, or custody proceedings, but it often happens informally, with no court involvement at all. Tho … [Read more...] about Kinship Caregivers
Children
Collaborating for the Children
Julie Whitman, Executive Director | Commission on Improving the Status of Children in Indiana Children live in families and communities, not programs and systems. When government intervenes in the life of a child, that intervention is inevitably through a program within a state agency or system. The Department of Child Services provides court-ordered foster care; the Division of Mental Health and Addiction offers … [Read more...] about Collaborating for the Children
Allen Superior Court Trauma Audit
By John McGauley | Court Executive, Allen Superior Court Few things speak to the desire to do a great job more than a willingness to accept criticism. Nothing speaks to that desire quite like actively seeking it out. In February, Allen Superior Court’s Family Relations Division did exactly that, inviting the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges behind the scenes to review its operations, make s … [Read more...] about Allen Superior Court Trauma Audit
Judges seek input on Child Support Guidelines
By Haley Loquercio, Intern | Office of Communication, Education, and Outreach NOTE: On April 2, 2019, the Domestic Relations Committee began seeking comments on proposed changes to Indiana's Child Support Guidelines. Read the press release » In August 2018, the Domestic Relations Committee of the Judicial Conference of Indiana held a public hearing in the Indiana Supreme Court Courtroom for parents, judges, at … [Read more...] about Judges seek input on Child Support Guidelines
Forever Families for Indiana Children
By Patrick McCauley | Visual Communications Specialist, Office of Communication, Education, and Outreach To celebrate National Adoption Day in November 2018, more than 30 judicial officers allowed families and press the opportunity to photograph and videotape certain uncontested adoption proceedings. The Supreme Court first issued an order authorizing cameras in court in 2012 for National Adoption Day to increase … [Read more...] about Forever Families for Indiana Children