Thomas Stefaniak to become new Lake Juvenile Court judge

CROWN POINT | Lake Criminal Court Judge Thomas Stefaniak said Friday afternoon he will be the new Lake Juvenile Court judge.

EDITORIAL: Expand merit selection for judges

Mediation failed to resolve the feud over filling the Lake Juvenile Court vacancy. So now it's up to the Indiana Supreme Court to order that state law be obeyed.

DCS continues to roll out program to provide mental health services to youth

INDIANAPOLIS | Twenty-five Indiana children are receiving mental health services as part of state officials' pledge to close a funding gap, said an Indiana Department of Child Services official.

EDITORIAL: Report drives home urgency of DCS reforms

The recent Indiana Department of Child Services report showing 40 children died of abuse in Indiana — five of them in Northwest Indiana — in a 12-month period should cause anyone reading it to shed a tear for those children.

More than 350 attend forum on child abuse, neglect

GARY | William Kellibrew IV was 10 years old the day he says he stared down a gun and begged for his life.

Times reporter wins national public service award

Times investigative reporter Marisa Kwiatkowski has won a national public service award for her ongoing series detailing Indiana's fragmented system of providing services to children in need of state services.

State report: 5 region children died of abuse, neglect injuries in a year

INDIANAPOLIS | Northwest Indiana was home to five of Indiana's 40 children who died of abuse or neglect between July 1, 2010 and June 30, 2011, a state report released Monday shows.

Judge outlines goals for new job as head of DCS

Lake Juvenile Court Judge Mary Beth Bonaventura will soon trade her judge's robes for a new job involving the welfare of children.

Outgoing juvenile court judge needs time to tie up loose ends

CROWN POINT | Lake Juvenile Court Judge Mary Beth Bonaventura said Friday she is delaying her departure from the bench, but only for a few weeks.

Schiralli to be next Lake Juvenile Court judge

CROWN POINT | One of Lake County's longest-serving judges will be taking over the prestigious Juvenile Court bench next month.

DCS official: First leg of pilot project went 'better than planned'

INDIANAPOLIS | The first phase of state officials' plan to close the gap in mental health services for children has been a success, one official said.

EDITORIAL: We endorse Zoeller for attorney general

Hoosier voters face two choices in the attorney general's race this fall — Republican Greg Zoeller and Democrat Kay Fleming. Zoeller is the better choice.

Panel endorses bill speeding prosecutor aid to endangered children

INDIANAPOLIS | The Commission on Mental Health and Addiction on Monday unanimously approved the draft of a bill that would temporarily give prosecutors back the ability to file petitions alleging a child is a danger to himself or herself.

GUEST COMMENTARY: DCS's solution still fails to offer immediate help

After months of feeling consumer pressure, the Indiana Department of Child Services suggests launching a pilot program to address children with mental health issues. Under intense media pressure and parents testifying to the legislative study committee, the department tosses millions of dol…

The Daily Fix

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EDITORIAL: Payne's final reform for DCS

James Payne offered the necessary next reform for the Indiana Department of Child Services — by resigning from the agency he founded.

EDITORIAL: Let AG's office handle appellate cases

The intense scrutiny focused on the Indiana Department of Child Services is bringing some changes at the agency. Among them is a new way of handling litigation involving the DCS.

EDITORIAL: A first step toward helping children in peril

The Indiana Department of Child Services announcement Monday of a plan to help children in peril — severely mentally ill or developmentally disabled children who need intensive treatment — is a step in the right direction. These are children who were falling through the gaps.

State officials offer solution to meet mental health needs of children

INDIANAPOLIS | State officials unveiled a plan Monday hoping to ensure parents don't have to plead guilty to neglect in order to secure services for their children with mental illnesses or developmental disabilities.

Advocates urge Legislature to return 'safety net' to law relating to children

INDIANAPOLIS | Crown Point resident Jill Garner battled emotion Monday as she testified before a legislative committee about her struggle to secure appropriate mental health services for her 12-year-old son.