DCS celebrates and supports family connection during Kinship Care Month

 The Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) is promoting awareness, resources and support during Kinship Care Month – a time to celebrate family members who help maintain familial connections, provide stability and support the well-being of children who can no longer live with their birth parents.  

“One of DCS’ goals is to reduce trauma and create better outcomes for children – placing children with relatives and close family ties helps us do just that.” said DCS Director Jennifer Dorfmeyer. “Family is incredibly important, especially when it comes to keeping children safe and loved. We’re so grateful for the relatives and close family friends that step up to care for children, help them maintain familial connections and ultimately provide stability for a child when they need it most.”

As resources show, children removed from their parents and placed with kin generally experience better outcomes and experience lower rates of repeat abuse. Kin placement also creates more stability, better behavioral development and stronger mental health, and a higher likelihood of achieving permanency.

DCS has been working to increase the number of kinship placements. In July 2026, there were more than 5,320 children residing with relatives, a 19% increase since July 2023.

Most kinship caregivers are grandparents and other adults who are often faced with unexpected challenges and barriers, such as shifting family dynamics, struggles with bonding or financial issues.  

DCS recognizes the importance of ensuring that both the caregivers and the children receive the appropriate assistance to ensure success and offers a Kinship Navigator program to help identify kinship placements and support relatives as they care for children. Additionally, DCS offers a monthly stipend of $300 per child to unlicensed kinship caregivers who are caring for a child in DCS custody. 

Other resources, including financial, health, legal, educational/developmental and adult support, can be found here or by calling Indiana 2-1-1. DCS encourages all members of the community to help connect kinship families with these much-needed resources.  

Anyone interested in becoming a kinship caregiver for youth in DCS care can email dcs.kinshipcare@dcs.in.gov for more information, resources and trainings.  

For more information about Indiana kinship care, visit in.gov/dcs/foster-care/kinship-indiana-support-services/.