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8/6/10 DCS Ombudsman meets with members of the Children’s Coalition of Indianapolis (CCI)
Susan Hoppe, MS, LSW, is the new Director of the Indiana Department of Child Services Ombudsman Bureau. She met with members of the CCI as well as representatives of IYSA on August 6th to discuss the bureau and its mission. Born out of new 2009 legislation and opened at the beginning of 2010, the bureau was established to respond to complaints concerning DCS actions or omissions by providing problem resolution services, independent case reviews and recommendations to improve DCS service delivery. Ms. Hoppe noted that because this is a new agency for the state, she is still setting up model practices based on what she is learning on the job, developed procedure protocol, and what she is learning from similar agencies around the country. She will be attending the US Ombudsman Association conference in the October where she is looking forward to meeting others who serve in similar roles. The agency is staffed by Ms. Hoppe and one part-time administrative support person. A new intake database system has been designed by the Department of Administration to help manage cases. Cases accepted by the Ombudsman must involve allegations that:
· DCS by action or omission failed to protect the physical or mental health or safety of the child, or DCS failed to follow specific laws, rules or written policies.
Ms. Hoppe has already begun processing complaints, initiating investigations and working with DCS on swift resolution of cases. The Ombudsman Bureau can process complaints and recommendations but does not have any jurisdiction to force DCS compliance.
For more information on the DCS Ombudsman Bureau please you can go to their website at: http://www.in.gov/idoa/2610.htm or use their toll free information line at 877-682-0101. Click on the link to find information on the Children's Coalition of Indiana on Facebook.
Jay Riggs, Membership Specialist
IYSA welcomes Jay A. Riggs to the staff. He is the new Membership Specialist and will offer extensive support to our agency members. Jay has an extensive background as a field organizer, database manager, and with the Indiana state Senate. He has worked all over the state of Indiana and looks forward to visiting all of IYSA's 33 agencies.
Do you want to learn more about IYSA and the
Youth Service Bureaus in your community?
Call us at 317-238-6955 or click the Membership Listing tab.
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