A salute to foster care families and all who help youth in need

National Foster Care Month marks a time to acknowledge the youth, family members, foster parents, volunteers, child welfare professionals, and policymakers who help children and youth in foster care find permanent homes and connections.

Disabled parents face bias, loss of kids

Millions of Americans with disabilities have gained innumerable rights and opportunities in recent years, but advocates say barriers can block one basic human right: To be a parent.

Indiana child services agency reverses some program cuts

INDIANAPOLIS | The state's child protection agency will restore some funding to programs cut by Indiana's 2011 budget reductions and is creating a new program to support older foster children.

Thank you to foster parents for opening homes, hearts

May is National Foster Care Month, a time when the National Youth Advocate Program in Indiana wants to raise public awareness about the nearly 8,000 children in Indiana and more than 500,000 children throughout the United States who are in foster care.

DCS unveils program to help foster children succeed in school

INDIANAPOLIS | FosterEd: Indiana, a statewide program geared toward improving the educational success of children in foster care, has been launched, the Indiana Department of Child Services announced Monday.

City shines spotlight on Nazareth Home

EAST CHICAGO | East Chicago Mayor Anthony Copeland surprised hundreds of guests at a recent fundraiser for Nazareth Home when he stood at the podium to proclaim the third Thursday of October as Nazareth Home Day. At his side to accept the honor was Nazareth Home Director/Foster Mother Jean Bowman.

'There's a place for us'

EAST CHICAGO | Jessica Decker was 10 years old, cooking macaroni and cheese for herself and her three siblings, when Highland police removed them from their mother's care.

Chef tasting and auction to benefit Nazareth Home

HAMMOND | When the doors of the atrium of the Hammond Federal Courthouse open Oct. 20, the the foster children of Nazareth Home in East Chicago will be the beneficiaries of the evening's festivities.

EDITORIAL: More fairness for foster parents

Indiana is changing the payment schedule for foster children from a flat rate to a fee more appropriate to an individual child's age and needs. This makes so much sense that it's a wonder it wasn't done long ago.

DCS unveils change to foster care reimbursement rates

INDIANAPOLIS | The Indiana Department of Child Services announced Friday a new set of foster care reimbursement rates.

Don't interfere with religious adoption, foster care agencies

Illinois Gov. Patrick Quinn and Attorney General Lisa Madigan apparently have no problem shutting down religious adoption and foster care agencies in Illinois in order to advance a radical political agenda.

Sex case against foster mom is abandoned by prosecutors

CROWN POINT | Prosecutors on Friday dismissed their case against a 35-year-old Cedar Lake foster mother accused of seducing a 15-year-old boy in her care.

Bishop blesses new foster mother, honors volunteers

EAST CHICAGO | When newly-named Nazareth Home Foster Mother/Director Jean Bowman welcomed open house guests April 19, she received a blessing from a very special guest The Most Rev. Dale J. Melczek, bishop of the Diocese of Gary.

GUEST COMMENTARY: Vulnerable children need volunteers' help

A serious problem is rising for vulnerable Hoosier children, but so is the opportunity to help.

Villages Foster Care Service champions a child's right to a permanent, nurturing home

As regional director of the Villages Foster Care Service in Gary, Elsie Anderson and her team of trainers and case managers work to ensure that kids and adults alike are on the path to a better tomorrow.

Campagna Academy's Therapeutic Foster Care Program provides a haven for children

The Therapeutic Foster Care Program at Campagna Academy in Schererville is a haven for youngsters who may need a place to regroup while situations in their permanent home are ironed out or rectified.

Buy a backpack, give books

INDIANAPOLIS | The Indianapolis Colts have partnered with the Indiana Department of Child Services to get age-appropriate books in the hands of foster children across Indiana.