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 6^th 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.

Membership Updates

We now have board of directors job descriptions, committee descriptions and board policy samples available for your use.  Members please feel free to call us should you need a sample policy.   Posting a new position?  Please use our new job posting service to list your jobs and attract first rate employees.  For a listing form email us with your request.    IYSA Meetings- Forgot when your committee meets or when we have scheduled training opportunities? No problem! Simply click on the Calendar tab on the top left.

News & Resources:

The Chronicle Board Report May/June 2010 - Articles on the fundraising environment, IRS & nonprofit governance, what makes nonprofit boards dysfunctional and many more. Click here     New Study of Adoloescent Brain Challenges Assumptions 4/21/10 PBS report notes that recent studies continue to show that the teen brain is fundamentally different than older brains. Copy of article     Economy still worrying fund raisers 4/12/10 Chronicle on Philanthropy "Economy Still at Top of Fund Raisers Worries Survey Finds"  Copy of article     Research on homeless youth  4/10 "Homeless Youth in the US: Recent Research Findings and Intervention Approaches," was recently released by Wayne State University and University of Chicago researchers.  For a copy of the findings, please contact the IYSA office.    Chronicle of Philanthropy 3/10 "Nonprofit Groups laid off employees, shifted investments, and added governance steps in 2009." Copy of article.    Short-sighted Trends: Philanthropy News Digest 3/10 - States & cities consider revoking charities exemptions. Article    Youth Violence - 'Community Must Answer Call To Action' Cheryl Hall-Russell, Indianapolis Star 10/11/09 Copy of Article ISYA Brochure - for a brochure detailing our services and ways to support us, please feel free to download a copy.