Published January 14, 2010 07:50 pm –

ANDERSON , Ind. — Between September 2009 and November 2009, the Department of Children’s Services, or DCS, removed 50 children from homes across Madison County when social workers discovered abuse or neglect.

Child abuse rates high in Madison County
Local agencies desperate for volunteers, foster parents

By Brandi Watters, Herald Bulletin Staff Writer

ANDERSON , Ind. — Those who are outraged by recent news that 14-week-old Jayden Sheets was allegedly battered by his father have numerous options to help other abused children in Madison County, local children’s services officials said Thursday.

Between September 2009 and November 2009, the Department of Children’s Services, or DCS, removed 50 children from homes across Madison County when social workers discovered abuse or neglect.

Statewide, 7,012 children were removed from their homes in that period.

Anne Houseworth of DCS said this results in a “tremendous” need for foster parents, but becoming a foster parent is just one of the many ways to help an abused child.

Houseworth said those compelled to help should consider becoming a mentor to children, or to young families.

“There’s a lot of funding cuts at the hospital … there are very, very young parents now and they can always use assistance.”

Volunteers may be able to help parents develop coping strategies to better parent their children.

“You can discuss ways of dealing with the stress that’s going to be in their lives,” Houseworth said.

Another way to speak up for abused or neglected children, according to Houseworth, is found in the CASA program.

CASAs, or court-appointed special advocates, are volunteers who serve as the voice of an abused or neglected child in court proceedings.

Anne Craycraft is the executive director of East Central Indiana CASA and said the program is in desperate need of volunteers.

“Madison County tends to be higher than the state average in our percentage of abuse and neglect right now,” Craycraft said.

In 2008, 14 of every 1,000 children in Madison County were abused or neglected.

In the same year, DCS substantiated 272 child neglect cases, 108 sexual abuse cases and 61 physical abuse cases in Madison County.

Craycraft said there are currently 257 children on the waiting list for volunteers in Madison County alone.

The court cases of those 257 children continue to move along the system, she said. “That child, unfortunately, is still without someone speaking out in their best interest.”

A total of 417 abused and neglected children are served by CASA in Madison County, she said, but the organization only has 65 volunteers.

CASA volunteers are expected to represent children in court proceedings that often determine whether or not to return a child to their parent’s home.

Craycraft said CASA is a necessary service in Indiana.

“The way the law is here in Indiana, when a case is first opened, the DCS has to provide services to the entire family to try and reunite that family. CASA can look from the get-go and say this reunification may not be a possibility.”

CASA looks out for child. DCS looks out for the entire family, she said.

Craycraft said volunteers can expect to spend between five and 10 hours per month working with their assigned children and their cases.

The volunteers are required to file reports that are read by judges making the decision on whether or not to reunite a family.

“We ask for volunteers to commit at least a year, or to the life of the case that they are assigned to,” she said.

Those interested in becoming a CASA should call 649-7215 or visit www.eastcentralcasa.org.

Those looking to make a long-term commitment to helping abused children may consider fostering abused and neglected youths.

While some foster children have special needs, Houseworth said most foster children are often in need of something less challenging.

“These are children who, in many cases, have no unusual need, other than stability,” she said.

Houseworth said many residents qualify for foster parenting since the only basic requirements are that the foster parent is over 18, can provide a stable home environment, and has no history with DCS or a criminal record.

“You don’t need to have kids in the home. All you need is an open heart.”

The length of the commitment varies, she said. “It would be a decision that would be made ongoing with the family case manager and the foster parent whether or not they wanted to continue the relationship.”

Foster parents are paid a per diem fee for taking in a child, she said, but the expense is not the most significant consideration in becoming a foster parent.

“Foster parenting is as difficult as it is rewarding.”

Those interested in becoming a foster parent should visit www.in.gov/dcs.

If you suspect child abuse or neglect, contact the child abuse hotline at 1-800-800-5556.

Contact Brandi Watters, 640-4847, brandi.watters@heraldbulletin.com