Indiana
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Pre-Service Training

All prospective resource (foster) and adoptive parents must complete RAPT (Resource and Adoptive Parent Training). RAPT is divided into four sections. The first three parts must be completed by both resource and adoptive parents for a total of 10 hours. The fourth section is another 6 hours of training for families interested in adoption and must be completed by all families (including relative and kinship families) who are adopting child from the Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS).

Relative and kinship caregivers do not have to take any trainings prior to placement of a child in their home unless they intend to become a licensed home.

Services Offered Through the State’s Post-Permanency Support Program

The Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) has a contract with Lifeline Youth and Family Services, Inc., to provide services statewide. Families may access services before finalization only if they have an open DCS case and receive a service referral from their DCS Family Case Manager or DCS Regional Adoption Consultant. Pre-finalization services are available for six months and can be extended if DCS, Lifeline staff, and families feel it is necessary. Families who have finalized their adoption or guardianship may self-refer for services. After finalization, if Lifeline and the family decide to open a case based on the assessment, services are available for a period of six months. This period may be extended, if needed.

Services include:

For DCS-referred families who have not yet finalized, care coordinators provide in-home supports and offer Trust Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®) training. Coordinators also work with the family to complete the child’s or youth’s lifebook. Families can also access any of the services below if the care team believes they are needed. (Note: DCS does not include these pre-permanency supports as post-permanency services.)

Lifeline uses the North Carolina Family Assessment (NCFAS) at the initial opening and closing of a case. Care coordinators complete safety checklists at initial intake and every six months. Care coordinators also write a case plan with the family based on the assessment.

Care coordinators do weekly in-home visits to provide resource coordination, provide TBRI® training and coaching, and help families access informal respite resources.

If the case plan calls for counseling services or in crisis situations, Lifeline’s therapists can provide in-home therapy for the family to provide stability and assist the family in accessing other ongoing services.

For families who are receiving case management services, Lifeline offers a 24-hour telephone support line staffed by therapists.

Care coordinators can provide support to the families they are serving if a crisis arises. Coordinators will work with the family to engage other supports to respond to the crisis. As noted above, in-home therapy can be provided if it will help with the crisis.

Lifeline hosts a variety of virtual and in-person support groups, including a Facebook support group. Support groups are offered to families, vary by topic, and are often curriculum based.

Care coordinators help families address educational and school issues. Most work is done in the home, although coordinators can attend IEP meetings when requested.

Care coordinators help families identify and build a network of informal respite care providers.

Care coordinators provide resources and referrals during in-home visits. Lifeline offers a list of books, website, articles, and support groups on its website. They also publish a monthly newsletter with resources.

For more information, visit http://lifelineyouth.org/agss/ or http://indianaadoptionprogram.org

Geographic Area Covered

Services are offered statewide and Lifeline has offices in each region. Families must reside in Indiana to receive the services.

Eligible Population for the Overall Post-Permanency Program

  • All families who adopted from the state’s foster care system

  • All families who adopted through intercountry adoption

  • All families who adopted through private adoption

  • All families who adopted from foster care in other states, territories, or tribes

  • All families who have guardianship of a child from foster care

  • All families who have guardianship of child not through foster care

Variations in Eligibility for the Post-Permanency Program

Families who have a child placed in their home through an open DCS case and have not yet finalized their adoption or guardianship of a child in Indiana’s care may be referred to Lifeline Youth and Family Services to receive pre-permanency support at the discretion of DCS.

Cultural Responsiveness

Lifeline must be able to provide an interpreter or translation services when needed.

Outreach and Engagement

DCS ensures families receive information about Lifeline’s post-permanency services by providing pamphlets when a case finalizes and during pre-service training. DCS provides Lifeline with a list of new adoptive and guardianship families. Lifeline then sends a postcard to share information about the available services.

In addition, Lifeline promotes its post-permanency services on its website and on Facebook and LinkedIn.

How the Post-Permanency Program Is Operated

  • Through a contract or grant with one private agency

Notes About Who Provides Which Service(s)

Lifeline Youth and Family Services, Inc. provides all services.

Adoption/Guardianship Assistance/Subsidy Review and Changes

Guardianship and adoptive families can request a change by contacting their local DCS office no sooner than 12 months after the adoption assistance agreement is signed, or at least 12 months after the last modification has been made. Families need to make an official request using an official DCS form to the local county office in which the child’s case originated.

Tracking Adoption/Guardianship Discontinuity

Information not available

Post-Permanency Program Spending (FY 2023)

Information not available.

Funding Sources for the Post-Permanency Program (FY 2023)

Information not available.

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