Many families who feel called to foster children do not know where to begin. Two primary options are available to Indiana residents when it comes to fostering. You can foster through the State Department of Child Services (DCS) or through a Licensed Child Placing Agency (LCPA). Here is some guidance to help you determine the best path for you and your family.
1. Department of Child Services
A family that pursues licensing directly through DCS completes all training and licensing requirements through DCS
The DCS Family Case Manager is the main support resource for the family when children are placed in the home..The Family Case Manager also conducts a monthly visit with the family throughout the placement period.
2. Licensed Child Placing Agencies
- A family can opt to pursue licensing through an agency rather than directly through DCS in which case all training and licensing requirements are provided via the agency’s licensing worker.
- The agency case manager serves as the primary support resource for the family when children are placed in the home, in addition to the DCS family case manager doing visits once a month
- Agency case manager does home visits on a monthly, bi-monthly, weekly or bi-weekly basis, depending on the child’s needs.
- Weekly contact with agency case manager
- 24/7/365 on-call crisis support