1. Indiana IV-E Waiver Original Demonstration 1998 – 2002 Informal Extension 2002 – 2005 Current Extension 2005 - 2010

2. Indiana Waiver Scope Statewide (92 counties) Type Flexible Funding Waivers 1. Expanded Eligibility 2. Expanded Services Purpose 1. Reduce Foster Care Placements 2. Shorten Time in Foster Care 3. Keep Children Safe & Families Intact Service Emphasis Community-Based Support Services to Families & Children

3. Implementation/On-Going Challenges Implementation of the waiver in Indiana has involved much variability from county to county, and this is an ongoing challenge to management of the demonstration. Variation has included: How the waiver has been used. How much the waiver has been used. Program model. The types of cases targeted. Specific services provided. The integration of the waiver into the countys child protection system. The extent to which there is local collaboration or coordination with other community institutions and agencies.

4. 25 Program Counties 1998-2002

5. 36 Program Counties 2005-2008

6. Findings/Outcomes More services and a greater diversity of services. Increase in family-oriented services. Services– especially basic assistance –not otherwise available. A reduction in foster home placements. Shortened time in foster care. Increased reunifications. Cost-effective.

7. What Works Well in Current Program Use of flexible funds to meet basic needs that would otherwise go unmet. Enhanced creativity in addressing family needs. Team approach to case planning and collaborative arrangements with service providers. Assignment of children not eligible for IV-E. State protocols and training to guide implementation.

8. Challenges to Sustainability 1. Creating a unified Statewide program Bridging the communication divide between central office and the counties. Encouraging ALL counties to develop and use the program actively. Managing the changes and turnover in county staff to promote continuity. Coordinating the waiver program with broader system reforms and initiatives. Fully integrating the program into the service planning.

9. Challenges to Sustainability 2. Developing a long-term policy and funding structure Refining the state protocols for the program to reflect when and where it works best for families. Accurately identifying the types of cases (often neglect/poverty) and services (often basic assistance) that benefit most from flexible funding. Altering which children can be assigned to the program (e.g. losing the opportunity to assign non IV-E eligible kids). More fully linking the program directly into broader, ongoing and planned system reform. Determining whether the program is feasible without ongoing federal support.

10. Thoughts on What it Would Take Strong and active program support from the state agency, that may include: Enhanced technical assistance to counties. New unified worker training coordinated with other reform efforts. The coordination of policy involving state agencies that share resources and objectives. How would Indiana pay for it? Could there be a federal IV-E policy that allowed a mixed entitlement/flexible reimbursement formula?

11. Institute of Applied Research www.iarstl.org

12. IV-E Foster Care Children (U.S. average monthly number)

13. Delinquents

14. Children in Adoptive Placement and/or at Risk of Adoptive Disruption

15. Youth Substance Abusers at Risk of Placement

16. Children Expelled or Suspended from School or At Risk of Expulsion or Suspension

17. Pregnant Teens

18. Youths on Juvenile Probation from Families with a History or Indication of Substance Abuse Problems