State adding 113 DCS caseworkers to meet demand

Indiana’s Department of Child Services is being told to hire more than 100 additional caseworkers to deal with a big jump in child abuse and neglect cases. The Republican governor blamed much of that increase on drug abuse, particularly heroin addiction. “We need to ensure our kids have the protection and support they need”.

In July, the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit maintaining that DCS workers are taking on too many caseloads and are unable to perform their jobs adequately.

“We don’t have the option of compliance”, Bonaventura said.

Gov. Mike Pence announced Thursday that the state would authorize the hiring of 113 additional caseworkers following a 26 percent increase in cases this year.

DCS Director Mary Beth Bonaventure explained the situation, saying, “Because we don’t know what’s coming through the door and because we’re a responsive agency the statute says we have to respond”. The department says it will begin hiring for the positions immediately.

The Indianapolis Star reports (http://indy.st/1TuJSF4 ) that Pence said Wednesday that the price tag includes the cost of a new public announcement system in addition to new turnstile security doors.

Pence came under fire during the legislative session from Democrats, who accused the governor of not setting aside money to improve the agency’s handling of cases.

Mike Pence is considering using some of the state’s $2.14 billion in reserves to pay for infrastructure improvements, including high-priority repairs like those on an Interstate 65 bridge.

Indiana added 110 case managers in State Fiscal Year 2014, and 136 in State Fiscal Year 2013.

The State Budget Committee meets Friday morning at Purdue University West Lafayette, and the expenditure is among the items on its agenda.