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Indiana

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State Coordinator

Department of Child Services
Heather H. Kestian
Older Youth Initiatives Manager
302 West Washington, Room E306 MS47
Indianapolis, IN 46204-2739
Phone: (317) 234-6154
Fax: (317) 232-4436
Email: Heather.Kestian@dcs.IN.gov

Agency Website

State's Chafee Mission Statement

The Indiana Department of Child Services protects children from abuse and neglect. The DCS does this by partnering with families and communities to provide safe, nurturing and stable homes.

Who is eligible for Chafee services?

The Indiana Chafee Foster Care Independence Program encompasses planning and services for all wards 16 through 21 years of age. The initiative also includes youth between 18 and 21 who were formerly in foster care for at least six months after the age of 16 who meet the eligibility criteria and were a ward of another state with verification through an Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children from the state of jurisdiction.

What is the state's definition of room and board?

Room and board assistance includes deposits for housing and utilities as well as the payment of the first and second month's rent and utilities. The youth takes responsibility for these expenses at 25% of the cost in the third month, 50% of these costs in the fourth month, 75% of these expenses in the fifth month and is totally responsible for the sixth months expenses. Youth who experience difficulty following a stable period may request additional assistance for a brief period. Youth receiving this funding is required to obtain and maintain employment and participate with the Chafee contracted provider in case management services. Additional assistance for one-time start-up costs are not included in the room and board funding.

Maximum age that youth may remain in state funded foster care

No additional information is available.

Under what conditions can a youth remain in state funded foster care beyond 18?

Youth who are in high school and making an concerted effort to graduate may be maintained in care by the courts beyond age 18 as well as youth who have been accepted into housing services through the Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services and are awaiting placement.

Does the state have an approved plan to extend Title IV-E (Federal foster care) beyond 18?

Yes

Age of extension: 20

Conditions used to extend title IV-E foster care:

Secondary Education: Yes
Postsecondary Education: Yes
Barriers to Employment: Yes
Employed 80 Hours: Yes
Incapable of Activities: Yes

Is the Extended Medicaid Option available for youth until 21?

Yes

No additional information is available.

Can youth in care get driver’s licenses?

Yes

Youth who are placed in foster homes and have an adult willing to accept financial responsibility for the youth may obtain a driver's license with the courts approval.

Does the state offer tuition waivers for foster youth?

Foster youth are eligible for the 21st Century Scholars program which covers full tuition at an Indiana college or university. This program requires the youth to apply during the 7th or 8th grade; however, foster youth may apply with an appeal to the program and are usually accepted after that time if their parents failed to assist them in applying during the 7th or 8th grade.

Does the state have a youth leadership program?

Yes

The Indiana Youth Advisory Board is housed in the Ball State University’s Social Science Research Department and has membership from each of the 18 regions. The group is run by the Indiana Department of Child Services. For more information, please visit the Indiana Youth Advisory Board page.