Terry Stigdon

State Health Department Launches Program To Reduce Future Child Fatalities

By Darian Benson • Jan 28, 2020

The Indiana State Department of Health is launching a pilot program to review past child fatality cases to prevent future deaths and serious injuries.

Stakeholders: DCS Progress Since Independent Report Isn't Far Enough, Fast Enough

By Brandon Smith • Jul 22, 2019

It's been one year since an independent investigator unveiled a detailed report on the Indiana Department of Child Services. That came after a huge spike in children in the system, often linked with the opioid crisis.

Since then, the agency has made significant progress, but some say it’s not enough.

DCS Responds To Lawsuit, Calls It 'Inflammatory'

By Brandon Smith • Jul 1, 2019

The Indiana Department of Child Services is responding to a class action lawsuit alleging the agency is failing the children in its care.

The lawsuit filed on behalf on nine children seeks policy changes at DCS. According to the complaint, some of those children have been shuffled between foster homes more than 15 times.

DCS Target Of New Class Action Lawsuit

By Isaiah Seibert • Jun 26, 2019

The Indiana agency that oversees the state’s foster system is the target of a class action lawsuit filed Tuesday morning in federal court in Evansville. The suit accuses the Department of Child Services of violating children’s constitutional rights.

Lawmakers Question DCS Spending Request As Agency Improves

By Brandon Smith • Mar 7, 2019

Department of Child Services Director Terry Stigdon. (Brandon Smith/IPB News) — Brandon Smith

The Department of Child Services again asked state lawmakers Thursday to increase its funding by nearly $300 million per year.

DCS Asks For $300 Million More Per Year In New Budget

By Brandon Smith • Dec 10, 2018

Department of Child Services Director Terry Stigdon addresses the State Budget Committee. (Brandon Smith/IPB News) — Brandon Smith

The Indiana Department of Child Services says it needs about $300 million more per year in funding than it got in the last state budget.

Holcomb Sends $25 Million To DCS As Independent Investigator Recommends Changes

By Brandon Smith • Jun 18, 2018

DCS Director Terry Stigdon, at left, and Gov. Eric Holcomb, right, discuss an independent evaluation of the embattled state agency. (Brandon Smith/IPB News) — Brandon Smith

Gov. Eric Holcomb announced Monday he'll spend $25 million from the state's surplus to help implement an independent evaluator’s recommended changes for the Department of Child Services.

Action on those changes comes after years of the state ignoring previous recommendations for the embattled agency.

State Leaders Mark Child Abuse Prevention Month With No Mention Of DCS Controversy

By Brandon Smith • Apr 19, 2018

DCS Director Terry Stigdon addresses a crowd of child advocates at the Statehouse celebration of National Child Abuse Prevention Month. (Brandon Smith/IPB News) — Brandon Smith

Indiana leaders celebrated National Child Abuse Prevention Month Thursday amid controversy at the state’s child welfare agency.

Children's Commission Receives Update On DCS Review Process

By Jill Sheridan • Feb 14, 2018

The Commission on Improving the Status of Children in Indiana met Wednesday in Indianapolis. The group received a brief update of what was happening with the state’s independent assessment of the Department of Child Services.

Newly appointed DCS Director Terry Stigdon says members of the review team have conducted many interviews.

"Providers that partners with DCS to provide care that’s needed to children," says Stigdon. "They have met with legislators as well."