Posted on March 8, 2019
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI
In order to raise awareness about child abuse and neglect while simultaneously collecting resources to help those in need, an event entitled “Break the Silence with Bags of Hope” will be held at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center next month.
According to the latest statistics available from the Indiana Department of Child Services’ child fatality report, nearly 60 Hoosier children died from some form of abuse or neglect in the 2016 State Fiscal Year.
Of those deaths, 42 percent were deemed accidental and 41 percent were determined to be homicide.
Statistics indicate that abusive head trauma accounts for 92 percent of abuse cases. When it comes to neglect-related cases, vehicles or other forms of transport were the leading cause of death at 32 percent with asphyxia and drowning as the next most common causes at 23 percent and 17 percent, respectively.
Every year, April is recognized as Child Abuse Prevention month to help bring those kinds of startling statistics to light and to encourage communities to take action to protect local children.
To do their part to raise awareness, the Starke County Prosecutor’s Office and Starke County Department of Child Services are teaming up with Mary Beth Photography to host a fun fair.
On Saturday, April 6th individuals and families can come and enjoy games and activities at the community center in Knox from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m.
The cost of admission will be one item that can be added to one of their “bags of hope.”
Acceptable donations include baby wipes, diapers, pull-ups, stuffed animals, baby books, crayons, colored pencils, coloring books and baby powder.
They’ll also accept toiletries such as shampoo, body wash, deodorant, lotion, toothbrushes and toothpaste.
Event organizers note that used items and money will not be accepted. For more information visit the event page for the Break the Silence with the Bags of Hope Fun Fair.
Showing posts with label Indiana Department of Child Services. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Indiana Department of Child Services. Show all posts
Friday, March 8, 2019
Monday, August 20, 2018
Laws in Place Looking Out for the Health and Well Being of Hoosier Students
Posted on August 20, 2018
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI
With the back-to-school season in full swing, State Representative Jim Pressel recently sent out a release that highlights some of the ways legislators are looking out for students.
Some different laws that were passed this year were emphasized in the release, including a few that focus on the health and well being of students.
There is one law that focuses on the safety of student-athletes. House Enrolled Act 1024 establishes a certified coaching education course on how to prevent and respond to heat-related medical issues. School and intramural sports coaches for students in grades 5 through 12 are required to undergo this training.
Another law is meant to support foster youth. Nationally, 56 percent of children in foster care graduate from high school and only three percent graduate from college.
State officials are apparently working to develop tools to help foster care students succeed. House Enrolled Act 1314 requires the Department of Education, the Department of Child Services and the State Board of Education to produce annual reports on the educational outcomes of students in foster care.
Another very important law that was put into place addresses the high number of Hoosier students who report feeling suicidal. According to the Indiana Youth Institute, Hoosier youth are significantly more likely to consider or attempt suicide than their peers nationally.
Senate Enrolled Act 230 aims to prevent suicide deaths by updating awareness programs for educators, health care providers and emergency medical technicians. With this new law, the already mandatory annual training must be demonstrated to be an effective or promising program and it has to be recommended by the Indiana Suicide Prevention Network Advisory Council.
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI
With the back-to-school season in full swing, State Representative Jim Pressel recently sent out a release that highlights some of the ways legislators are looking out for students.
Some different laws that were passed this year were emphasized in the release, including a few that focus on the health and well being of students.
There is one law that focuses on the safety of student-athletes. House Enrolled Act 1024 establishes a certified coaching education course on how to prevent and respond to heat-related medical issues. School and intramural sports coaches for students in grades 5 through 12 are required to undergo this training.
Another law is meant to support foster youth. Nationally, 56 percent of children in foster care graduate from high school and only three percent graduate from college.
State officials are apparently working to develop tools to help foster care students succeed. House Enrolled Act 1314 requires the Department of Education, the Department of Child Services and the State Board of Education to produce annual reports on the educational outcomes of students in foster care.
Another very important law that was put into place addresses the high number of Hoosier students who report feeling suicidal. According to the Indiana Youth Institute, Hoosier youth are significantly more likely to consider or attempt suicide than their peers nationally.
Senate Enrolled Act 230 aims to prevent suicide deaths by updating awareness programs for educators, health care providers and emergency medical technicians. With this new law, the already mandatory annual training must be demonstrated to be an effective or promising program and it has to be recommended by the Indiana Suicide Prevention Network Advisory Council.
Friday, November 3, 2017
Bailey’s is Featuring the Indiana Heart Gallery for National Adoption Awareness Month
Posted on November 3, 2017
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI
Nearly 400,000 children are currently in foster care nationally. More than 100,000 of those kids are legally available for adoption. November is National Adoption Awareness month and one local business is doing their part to help connect children in need to individuals who may be looking to make an addition to their family.
From now until November 10th, Bailey’s Discount Center will feature a photo exhibit from the Indiana Heart Gallery. The Indiana Heart Gallery is an organization that travels around the state with compelling portraits and stories of children in need of adoptive families. In 2007, the program was started by the Indiana Department of Child Services in order to put actual faces on a need that sometimes seems invisible.
Many of the children featured in the gallery are considered “hard-to-place” meaning they may have special needs, be older or could be a part of a sibling group. The program helps increase awareness about foster youth available for adoption and prompts community members to learn more about the foster to adoption process.
DCS Adoption Program Manager Sandra Caesar said that on average they are actively recruiting adoptive homes for 120 to 150 youth statewide. A solid support system early on can mean the difference between a rocky future and successfully transitioning into adulthood.
Caesar said they seek families who are not only willing to love the child, but those who will also commit to them, claim them as their own and be willing to hang in there through their ups and downs.
To view the Indiana Heart Gallery while it is available locally, visit Bailey’s Discount Center at 5900 S. Range Road in North Judson before November 10th.
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI
Nearly 400,000 children are currently in foster care nationally. More than 100,000 of those kids are legally available for adoption. November is National Adoption Awareness month and one local business is doing their part to help connect children in need to individuals who may be looking to make an addition to their family.
From now until November 10th, Bailey’s Discount Center will feature a photo exhibit from the Indiana Heart Gallery. The Indiana Heart Gallery is an organization that travels around the state with compelling portraits and stories of children in need of adoptive families. In 2007, the program was started by the Indiana Department of Child Services in order to put actual faces on a need that sometimes seems invisible.
Many of the children featured in the gallery are considered “hard-to-place” meaning they may have special needs, be older or could be a part of a sibling group. The program helps increase awareness about foster youth available for adoption and prompts community members to learn more about the foster to adoption process.
DCS Adoption Program Manager Sandra Caesar said that on average they are actively recruiting adoptive homes for 120 to 150 youth statewide. A solid support system early on can mean the difference between a rocky future and successfully transitioning into adulthood.
Caesar said they seek families who are not only willing to love the child, but those who will also commit to them, claim them as their own and be willing to hang in there through their ups and downs.
To view the Indiana Heart Gallery while it is available locally, visit Bailey’s Discount Center at 5900 S. Range Road in North Judson before November 10th.
Thursday, April 21, 2016
Knox Police Department, DCS to Host Drug Abuse Awareness Program
The Knox Police Department and Indiana Department of Child Services are teaming up to raise awareness of drug abuse issues in the community.
They’re hosting a community program Monday evening at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center in downtown Knox at 6 p.m.
It will address drug recognition, physical signs of drug abuse and treatment programs available within the community.
Police Chief Harold Smith says members will have a chance to interact with members of various agencies tasked with dealing with the drug abuse problem.
April is child abuse prevention month, and officials say drugs play a major role in most child abuse cases. Several community organizations will also have booths set up at the community center Monday evening to share information about mental health and domestic violence resources as well.
Monday, April 11, 2016
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