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Zay bill to pilot child welfare program in state recently passes state senate

A bill authored by State Sen. Andy Zay (R-Huntington), Senate Bill 365, that would provide the necessary funding to pilot a child welfare program in Indiana, recently passed the Senate Committee on Family and Children Services by a vote of 5 to 2.

Zay says the Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) has struggled to keep up with the surging number of cases in Indiana, as the foster care population in the state has increased by more than 50 percent since 2012. The rate of Hoosier children referred to Child Protective Services is the third- highest in the nation and over twice the national average.

“These are alarming statistics for our state,” Zay said. “Hoosiers must work together to create a support system for at-risk children. SB 365 would introduce a technology platform called the Care Portal, which would connect DCS and faith-based community programs to strengthen child welfare resources in our communities. The Care Portal is a unique solution that would help address both the growing number of cases and costs associated with satisfying the needs of children in our state.”

Zay says 18 states have implemented the Care Portal in select communities and found success. More than 35,000 children and their families have had their real-time needs met by utilizing the platform since its rollout in 2015.

SB 365 has now moved to the full senate for consideration.