Foster Families Recognized At Statehouse Event

Foster parents from across the state gathered at the Statehouse Monday for an appreciation event that comes while the department that manages foster cases is under review.

The assessment of the Indiana Department of Child Services comes after the former director left last year with a warning that Hoosier children were in danger.

Gov. Eric Holcomb ordered the review and says he wants all the facts.

“I want to know the good, the bad and the ugly,” says Holcomb. “Give me the facts so we can fix what needs to be fixed and the foster families, they are on the front lines.”

At the Statehouse event, Holcomb spoke to nearly 40 foster parents in attendance and praised them for their service. Andrew Caplinger of Noblesville is a first time foster parent. He knows the need in the state is great.

“If you’ve got the availability to do it, do it. It’s not easy but you know get out there and do it,” says Caplinger.

Indiana had more than 29,000 children in the foster care system in 2016. The state’s addiction epidemic is major contributing factor to the rise in cases.

A full report of DCS is expected next month.