Gov. Braun boosts Family Services Workforce through Power Up Indiana Investments

Thursday, July 9, 2026 at 6:00 PM

Governor Mike Braun is growing wages and advancing skills for family service workers who support children, parents and Hoosier families through Power Up Indiana.

Run by the Department of Workforce Development, Power Up Indiana provides funding for employers in childcare, counseling and family support fields who build stronger career pathways for frontline workers while expanding the services families rely on. These investments also require wage increases of at least 25% while helping employees gain specialized skills, move into higher-value roles and support employers working to meet growing community needs.

“When a child needs extra support or a family needs access to behavioral healthcare, the quality of the workforce matters,” Gov. Braun said. “Power Up Indiana helps employers train the people doing that work, expanding essential family services and creating opportunities for Hoosiers to build successful careers.”

Twin Springs Counseling, a rural counseling practice, is strengthening its clinician pipeline through a residency program that provides early-career professionals with mentorship, supervision and specialized training. With funding from Power Up Indiana, the program prepares the next generation of behavioral health providers while helping expand access to care for young Hoosiers and families in rural and underserved communities.

Smarty Pants Daycare Ministries is using Power Up funds for workforce training to better support children with behavioral challenges and help staff grow professionally. Employees receive classroom instruction, hands-on experience and one-on-one coaching that prepares them to work with children who need additional support. By investing in staff development, the organization is strengthening classroom quality, expanding program capacity and making trained professionals more accessible to families.

Under Gov. Braun, Power Up Indiana is expanding access to training opportunities that lead to employee advancement, wage growth and stronger retention. For family service organizations, that means keeping skilled workers in roles where they can support children, stabilize families and help communities meet everyday needs.

To learn more about Power Up Indiana, visit in.gov/dwd/job-seekers/power-up.