Calling to order. They MAY meeting of the Community Affairs Committee. Well, we're small committee today just doing a presentation. So we are not But that is ok, we're excited to have our presentation today. We're going to introduce ourselves starting with the county CHAIRWOMAN Jones. Thank you. MADAM Chair, Kristin Jones District 18. Good afternoon. MADAM Chair, Ron Gibson District 8. Good afternoon. MADAM Chair. And good evening, everyone. Keep Graves District 9 on the Indianapolis East side. Thank you. And I'm Ali Brown. Represent District 10. The city of Lawrence. I am very excited to have a Kate and I cannot see in the last name. So I apologize. But Kaye is here from the early Intervention Planning Council to talk to us about the state of child currency here in
Marion County. So, Kate, if I will turn it over to you, you want to give your presentation and then we'll have questions for you at the end. Sounds great make sure trying to hit this too many times to go up top and Brooklyn. All kinds of things up here. Thank you so for taking the time. Still to. To hear more about the work that we've been doing. My name is Kate Raw. Lucky the program director at the Marion County Commission on Give you a little more background about McCoy and what we do that I'm here on behalf of the early Intervention Planning Council. Usually I present one time of year for the criminal justice and Public Safety Committee around the budget. Time. So its really awesome to be here to get connected to another committee and more counselors. I really appreciate that. Slide. Thank you. So a little bit more about McCoy. If
you're not familiar with us, our mission is to champion the positive development of youth through community in systems. Change in our work focuses 3 primary areas right now creating impacting in strengthening systems that influence youth supporting the u serving community and equipping you serving organizations with knowledge and resources and empowering youth and strengthening families by engage in community-building and prevention work and McCoys. A proud partner of what the members of the early Intervention Planning Council to present this information and continue working towards a better future for youth in our community. Next slide. So the City County Council of Indianapolis, Marion County establish the early Intervention Planning Council in 2005 and McCoy has been the designated convener of the Council since 2009 in this capacity. Maclay works with
the council and its members organizations to study the complex issues that contribute to child and family involvement in the child welfare and legal systems and develop strategies for preventing that involvement. The purpose of this report is to collect and share consolidated data centric view of the current state of child permanence and Marion County, Indiana. This council has identified child permanency as a critical component in positive youth development and priority Gulf early intervention and prevention by understanding the date of this report, we hope to develop a common understanding of the state of child permanency in our county. So the systems that support our children are complex involving many groups and organizations beginning with the birth family while children who lack permanency represent only a small part of this system. The safety net of
the chins process provides a critical is critical to support our community overall. Sorry, I'm trying to make my notes a little bit bigger and the slide a little bit smarter. The early Intervention Planning Council is a unique group of community leaders representing many of the diverse community sectors that make up the system of care for children and families in our community. Based on the data presented in the report in the discussions that we continue to have as a result of this work. There are 4 key goals. Our takeaways that we've identified first prevention is better than intervention. Decades of research have identified the essential elements for positive youth development and the protective factors that can not only mitigate the harm of child maltreatment, but potentially prevent it from
happening in the first place. Second, we need to identify pathways to better data and root causes. We hope this report is a starting place for the conversations and work needed to close the gaps in data and to identify the specific root causes in Marion County so that we can work together to develop system-level strategies for community-wide impact. 3rd, our prevention strategies need to prioritize positive youth development concepts while research proven strategies that help create safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments for our children. And finally, as the previous slide indicated, we need to work together as a system to build collective impact based on shared goals and coordinated actions. No single agency organization or sector of the community can reduce the number of children who
lack of permanency in Marion County. It will require the participation of the entire system. Originally had videos of interviews that we've been doing to collect stories of the shared the experience. I'm happy to share those via e-mail in some way because it might be challenging to do it. Tech was, but I can also try to integrate those into the presentation as well. So the report that follows provides data and contacts to help build understanding about the state of child permanency in Marion County. As much as possible. We're sharing data specific to the county. However, one that's on available. We share state data to serve as a proxy about what might be happening in our county. And we also tried to keep our focus on the year 2023, but at times have to present 2022 data. Okay. So this report focuses on
children in Marion County who lack permanency primarily children in need of services. However, report provides a high-level profile of the child population in Marion County to provide context for the issue of permanency. 15.1% of India's child population lives in Marion County over 240,000 children. Overall, Marion County's child population is younger than the statewide child population and is also more racially and ethnically diverse as 69% of children in Marion County are nonwhite. The economic situation of households in Marion County is challenging compared to the state overall on average household are poor and experiencing higher costs. Again, Marion County is represented. Sorry and over 5,000 children in Marion County, lack permanency. This could be a result of housing in security in 2023, 4,500 children in the county where
Unhoused over 700 children were in juvenile detention. 2023. But this report specifically looks at the 2169 children and youth services or chance. While this population MAY seem small, Marion County has a disproportionate 18% of Chen statewide. So according to Indiana code, a child with a chain status as a child younger than 18, who is experiencing one or more of certain conditions listed in statute. Conditions like abuse, neglect, endangerment of self or others or a child born with a substance really to challenge a time birth, such as fetal Alcohol syndrome. The full list of conditions can be found in Appendix c of the report or Indiana code determining a chin status in agency must believe the situation is unlikely to be remedied without the explicit
intervention of the court. Okay. So time for lots of on average over the course of 2023, there were 2170 Chen's in Marion County. Represented by the blue bars, including 934 New Chen's case is represented by the Orange bars. You'll notice that the blue bars are much taller than the orange bars. And that's because the total chins cases gives us an idea of how many children are currently engaged with the system. And that number remains high higher than new cases due to the length of time. These cases remain open. An average of 78 New Chen's case is the orange bars were filed each month in 2023, but you'll see a peak at one. 28 in AUGUST, which is when school starts. So taking a closer look at the chins
population of Marion County, we see a disproportionate representation of black children designated his chins. 48% compared to the overall black child population of 31%. And this table identifies the circumstances associated with removal in 2022. At the state level, most cases that result in removal from the household involvement collect and or parental substance misuse. Now that multiple circumstances MAY be associated with the child's removal. So those percentages want total 100%. The interviews that I have videos of that we're working on the storytelling component, bring up issues of domestic violence. The clot at very, very young age is both Jackie and Molina were removed from the household when they were either 2 or 3 years old. And so the circumstances
surrounding these chains status and the removal are very complex and often multigenerational. Regarding permanency close to 1000 children were removed from their homes and 2023 in Marion County. And that's an increase of about 18% from 2022, we don't know what caused this increase. However, it does follow a statewide trend where there was a 26% increase in the number of children removed. So now that we understand a little more about the chain's population in Marin County will look at the data regarding their permanency in living situation once identified. Most Chen's are removed for out-of-home placement in 2023. Approximately 77% of chains were placed out of home compared to 23% in home. And like national data in the state of Indiana, Young
children under the age of 7 represent almost half of out of home placements and those under the age of 3 years represent a disproportionate. 25 1% of placements, younger children are most likely to be impacted by the trauma associated removal as they are separated from primary caregivers during a critical time in their development. When we look at the race and ethnicity, data for out of home placements, we find something we MAY not expect. Well, there are disproportionate number of black children designated as chins in Marion County. That's the tallest orange fire in the grass. This does not translate to out of home placements which skews towards white children. The tallest great bar in the graph. More analysis and data are needed to understand why. So now we'll take a closer look at what we mean by out of home placements, out of home
placements are categorized in 4 ways. Relatives homes include placement with another family member or relative outside of the primary home environment. Nonrelative foster care is a court monitored service where foster caregivers typically undergo licensing and training so that they're better equipped to provide that support. Residential programs, house and care for youth that are not in relative care of foster care. And these programs must size by key conditions to be designated as qualified under the family. First Preservation Act. And finally, the other categorization covers the children and youth. You MAY be in a hospital placed out of state or other settings or situations that best meet their needs. Individual case-by-case basis. Most chins requiring out of home placements are placed either in the home or relative or
nonrelative foster care in 2023. There were a total of 767 new cake tins and out of home placements and the greatest portion of those placements, 43% thrown followed closely by 37% in foster care. As we consider ways to mitigate the negative impact of out of home placements on Chen's. It is important to consider the potential disruption created by the need to place children outside of their communities. This disruption likely creates the need to change schools, make new friends, find new systems of care for these children. Such a placement MAY still be preferred if it means keeping the child with relatives. This graph highlights the percentage of placements made in the same county as the case was initiated. Unfortunately, this percentage has declined considerably over the past 10 years in Marion County.
However, the child welfare system is still able to keep more children close to their original community more often than for the state overall. However, Marion County has a significantly has significantly more neighborhoods and communities in the geographical county, which represents different challenges. Now we're going to look at the data about how long children are in placement in the stability of that placement. The average length of stay for a child placed out of home in 2023 with 719 days. That's 23.6 months for close to 2 years. Chin's placed in residential care had the longest average length of stay and chains and nonrelative foster care spent an average of 81 days longer and placement than those placed a
relative's home. And placement stability is another critical factor to consider with each move the risk of negative outcomes increase repeated moves MAY compound the adverse experiences. A child MAY have already experienced prior to remove all. 31% of nonrelative foster care children in Indiana experience more than 2 placements and 2021. Meaning their living arrangements change at 3 times that year. This could reflect not only a change in living environment, but a change in school neighborhood and support systems. The longer they are in place meant the more likely it is children will be moved to new settings. It also makes it less likely that they will be reunified with their biological family. Both Jackie and Molina who share their stories with me experienced multiple movements. And I mean dozens of time back with the
family back in Foster can move to a relative back in Foster. Can't back with the family back in foster care. And when I asked Molina specifically who's about 20 years old, how many school she went to. She couldn't give me the exact number. But she knew that she had gone to a different school every single year that she was growing up. And I asked her what impact that had on her. And she said it was difficult to make friends. But moreover, now that she's becoming an adult, she's recognizing through her own work to address her own trauma, that she has a tough time building relationships with people in general because she views people as disposable. Because she never had the chance growing up in her own development to build those nurturing relationships. Finally, we can look at how
permanency is achieved following placement, which can take different forms. Overall reunification with their biological family is the prioritize goal. However, when that is not a safe option for the child, adoption or guardianship are also options in some cases, older children MAY age out of the system, losing access to a number of services that are provided through the child welfare system. When that is the case, community organizations like foster success can step in to help fill the gaps and support that young person and independent living. However, if that young person doesn't get connected to that community organization, they're left on their own to navigate that transition. In 2023. Over 900 Chen's cases were closed, resulting in permanent placement, primarily through adoption or reunification with their birth families or in fewer cases,
the guardianship. But the we can see that more cases were closed through adoption and Marion County and fewer cases close reunification. Then in the state. So understanding the relative circumstances faced by families and children in Marion County is an important piece of the puzzle in reducing the number of children who lack permanent cna meaningful sustainable way and disciplines like public health and social work. The circumstances are called risk and protective factors. The end of the report briefly looks at Marion County through 3 important filters related to the risk factors of child maltreatment economic situation. Which points to child poverty incidence of adverse childhood experiences within families resulting in generational trauma and the
availability of the support of system of care with resources like health care. As a community, we can work to understand and mitigate these risk factors. We can also work to promote promising an evidence-based solutions for protective factors. We view this report as a starting place and there are many aspects to consider as we move forward. First, it's clear through the presentation of this report that we don't have all of the data that could give us a more complete picture of child permanency in Marion County. I think after putting this report together, I'm left with more questions answers and some situations weather tracking capturing are reporting data. We need more clarity and consistency across the system so we can begin to understand the data trends and get a more comprehensive
picture. Second, we know that shifting to earlier, more informed intervention will result in improved outcomes. Better data can provide. Earlier awareness of emerging issues allowing us to connect families to resources and support utilizing the whole system, support families and ultimately stabilizing a child's living situation. While the data is limited, we see disproportionality when it comes to race and ethnicity and both chains designation and in out of home placement, though, maybe not in the way that we expect we need to recognize and understand the ration cultural biases that MAY exist in our systems and the circumstantial factors that MAY differ across cultures and even neighborhoods in Marion County Digging Deeper. For fact, based assessment will lead us to better actions and outcomes
for all of our children. And finally, we know that removing a child from their home has an impact on them and their development, but also on the family unit in the community at large, there is an opportunity to study the impact on children at each stage of this process and also consider the multi generational impacts that can occur. The takeaway goes from this report can help us explore those areas of consideration further by putting prevention. First building, better pathways to date. And Rick Cause is prioritizing positive youth development and working together to build collective impact and over the coming months that early Intervention Planning Council continue to present the findings of this report building understanding across the system of care so we can begin taking collective actions on those schools together. Shared a little bit about Jackie Molina stories.
But they represent only 2 of the 2000 children designated as Chun's in Marion County. I also think they highlight important ways that we can make a difference in their lives as a community. I hope that this presentation has raised some questions and spark some ideas for impact. And if you have groups that you're connected with who you think should hear this information, please connect with me. I'm sure my e-mail address. I'd be happy to present to more groups as Thank you for your time this evening. And hopefully we still some time for questions. I think we do because this is all we're doing right? Yes, we're Good. We've thank you,
Kate. Before we do questions, I would like council Cahill. Could you go ahead and introduce yourself in district Thank you, MADAM. Vice PRESIDENT Cahill District. 23 start for me. I have a question. We're always self-centered in this space I have a child with a disability. What happens when a child that so there's 2 issues, right? You can have a child is diagnosed, disability, all sorts diff physical. You know, my son autistic. You could have intellectual disability and how it's going to Stephanie of kids who? Or too young or not yet diagnosed. Right. And we know systems when kids are being bounced around. Speaking of autistic kids that if people are not there to see the patterns, they MAY not be able. How how how does the system one support getting
kids support and then to how could we collectively do better to help support children, bubble, but children with additional because all of life is intersection, right? Additional needs. Yeah, I think those are really great questions. That isn't something that we explored in depth and in this report, we took a very high level view. The data. I can say that in this report, it isn't mention per se, but in statute not meeting the needs of a child with a disability. Could it? Get to the point where that child then becomes designated as a chance. Right? So as family or a caregiver is not meeting, those needs are is not getting that child connected to supports. That could result in a chance designation. Once that child is in the chin system or if if
it comes to light that that child has been diagnosed while in the system, we don't have that information and I don't know if there's data that exists, but certainly something that has the early Intervention Planning Council continues to work on this and talk about this that we could, you know, connect with the Department of Child Services to get answers. Yeah, I'm not going to ask you to find that. You guys do so much anyway? But if there's that's something I'm very passionate about. Know there's other counselors who are also passion about that. If you ever are looking in assistance or support in that, please make us aware. Yeah, because all of this is absolutely heart breaking it all. I know personally I can think about is my little boy and what kind of for how horrible system. Says how horrible the situation is. You guys are
doing the bat. We're doing the best we can in the As a mom. Let us now. Yeah. All the counselors we all. That's why we're because we passionately care about the city. And that means every person, all of kiddos. So thank you. I have so many thoughts and questions, but I have a feeling a lot of them have to settle reach back out to you. And I would like to connect your work at the ymca. And I would very much like to connect you with our family and child services because I know we do get Koster kids who pop into Ariel season on that can stop and how we can better support them. Thank Thank you, counselors. Any any questions? The cancer Gibbs. Thank. Thank you, MADAM Chair. And now this is very informative and I think is it really clearly indicates a need for youth looking at the data. When mention the data in particular
about the tunes and in Fort 2023, you got 726 kids that are in juvenile is that is a part of the chain's number. That's a separate system. They're there's overlap. They're not mutually exclusive because in some cases there MAY be a dual status, which means that a child has a designation and they're engaged in the juvenile system. And the those boxes of that graphic could overlap could overlap slightly and that that's an annual number or is that just says that just on the average was a 7.26 Me. That's an annual number from 2023. Now that Chan's numbers seems to be very high and in Marion County and I wonder if there's a pattern here with the repeat families possibly is that is a human study. And that I guess to figure out if this is that I guess. If you
experience the type again, chances are repeat it. If is not correct, it, I would I would soon. But I do know that to be true. And it doesn't cause that he says shows that well. So my understanding of that data is that. The number. So the total Chen's number each of the each of that 2169 is a unique case. And that case can remain open. Essentially indefinitely until that child ages out or is adopted until that case is closed, which is why we see such like much more significant total chins number because there are being carried over month after month year after year because the case is still open. But it's still an individual case of one child. However, we don't know if in that case that child is. Being placed back in
the home. Is being placed back in foster care being moved to relative care being put back in the home. It bounces. And that's what I learned from Jackie Molina. Is that the case remains open. Their placement changing pretty constantly. Year after year, month after month, potentially the new cases which on that one bar graph with a tiny, tiny little It's so much lower because those are just the new cases being introduced. So when you see an orange bar, let's say AUGUST now and SEPTEMBER, those orange cases have now been put in the blue bar because that case is open. And so that's why we see such a disparate averaged case last
about 2 years. Length of placement to placement. But that doesn't mean that the case is necessarily been Got you so they can replace but still have a chance case 18 years old. How Foster care is is is is said is that adequately staffed and type of matches for children to help them with new yeah, something we didn't get too. In the weeds on in this report on it. That's a proper phrase to use. I know that there are groups organizations that were actively has been actively like looking, especially in regards to. Eng more families. For more people to be foster care providers who reflect the community of children who need. Yeah, you know, to be placed in foster care.
However, I would say that's a pocket of data that. We don't. We don't know. We don't have access to that data. I think worked for us trying to figure how to get access to the daily. Also, I wonder how we can partner with foster agencies and make sure we're recruiting are trying to attract. I more options for children to be successful? Yeah, look, I mean, I'm sure there has to be like the total number of foster care providers because it's a licensure license. However. What kind of information is attached to that license in terms age racial demographic locations. You know, that's when it again, like I felt like I walk away with more questions because when you
start looking at the data you go, well, what about this or what about this? And then you realize, well, we don't have access to that information. That information isn't even collected. Got it. And MADAM Chair, I the nice know there's other cities in America that's got this foster care better than we I don't think we have a. The right. I want shout out to foster care front and they a fabulous job. And what most cases. But I don't think we cars and looking like the demographic that they're serving. And I don't know. We need to look like that necessarily. But I think you can some cultural awareness about how to make someone feel and believe that they can be successful despite what they've been through. And so I don't I think we can do a better job recruiting foster parents. And that's just my my
little small. View of the world. But thank you. Thank you. Thank you, counselor Katie Counselors killed runs Camp. Thank you, MADAM Chair. Yeah, I I really want to echo what. Vice PRESIDENT Brown said about the children disabilities that. I certainly would be interested the data if it ever becomes available. I would. I think I would encourage it won't. It's not perfect because as was mentioned, I mean, in some cases. There's a lack of diagnosis rate. You can't classified all the State Department of Education has a pretty data warehouse that they can link 2 other state databases and because of sort of their unique nature, they're able to bypass some of
the stuff like for both because they can provide you aggregate data. So that might be a have a new because as an example, have they have access to the data everyone in the state. So they can well, they can tell you this trial, the specific they can marry with a high level and then give you the statistics output but thank you for for everything you're doing. This Very heartbreaking. Work a lot of times. But but important you know, every one of these numbers is a a child that's so thank you. Council been done just enough to inspired us. One left just thank you for your for saying thank you for presentation of thing chair. I do have copies of the report. If anybody would I was going ask again take took one to work and it started its appeared. So I was going I think we mailed copies. But
please share with your friends share complicate things. We would appreciate that. Kate, thank you so very, very much for presentation. Thank you for the work that you and McCoy to you and everyone around the guy. He wants epic. But at the ipc and I think my count counselors for being here tonight, we never hit the number needed for a quorum, but there was propose a number. 48. So we can't vote on that. We don't have a quorum. We will move that onto the JUNE agenda or reassess proposal. 48. But with is if I see no objections were going to go ahead. And and the