indiana dcs employee travel policy

Editorial: Holcomb, lawmakers must review DCS policies

It is imperative that indiana's elected officials immediately listen to the concerns of those working in the trenches of dcs to ensure child safety and stability..

Child-welfare officials say Indiana's Department of Child Services is a system in crisis, one that is drowning. That characterization was stated just days after the agency's director resigned and warned that current policies will "all but ensure children will die." 

These are stark pronouncements, and the cautionary words should not be ignored.

It is imperative that Indiana's elected officials immediately listen to the concerns of those working in the trenches of DCS to ensure child safety.

Yet, Gov. Eric Holcomb and the General Assembly have so far failed to launch an inquiry to determine whether the agency is meeting its mission of protecting Indiana's vulnerable children.

Last week, DCS Director Mary Beth Bonaventura said in a searing letter of resignation that cuts to the department's funding are putting children at risk. Bonaventura, who has worked in child welfare for 36 years, said she chose to resign rather than be complicit in the decreasing safety and well-being of Hoosier children.

DCS has been deluged by a 65 percent increase in the number of court cases that allege a child has suffered abuse or neglect since 2010. The number of children in the system has more than doubled in recent years, to 29,000. Officials attribute much of that increase to opioid addiction. 

DCS employees have long been overburdened -- neither Holcomb nor Indiana's current lawmakers can be blamed for creating the problem. But Holcomb's argument that DCS received an additional $200 million in its 2018 and 2019 budget isn't adequate. 

A successful state agency doesn't just need money; it needs structure, leadership and the autonomy to make decisions based on ever-changing necessities, things that Bonaventura alleges were stripped from her. 

Marion Juvenile Court Judge Marilyn Moores and other advocates told IndyStar that the agency is in shambles. Examples include: Children removed from their homes and forced to sleep in a DCS office overnight because there's no emergency shelter. Inadequate mental health services. Kids placed in foster homes hours from where their cash-strapped parents live, making it even more difficult to reunify families. And too few family case managers to handle the influx of child abuse and neglect reports.

"We are in the middle of a crisis now," Moores said. "I’m as penny-pinching a public servant as there is. But I think that we are not just legally but morally bound to serve the least among us, the most vulnerable among us, the children."

Democrats in the General Assembly have demanded an investigation into Bonaventura's claims. Last week, Indiana Sen. Karen Tallian, D-Portage, made a motion to hold a special meeting of the State Budget Committee to look into concerns detailed in Bonaventura's letter. Her motion was defeated, but State Budget Committee Chairman Ryan Mishler, R-Bremen, said he would add discussion of DCS to the agenda for the next meeting in March or April.

But Indiana's child-welfare officials have sounded the alarm now. This is not an issue that can wait until spring. Holcomb and the General Assembly must agree to an immediate review of DCS' policies and procedures.

Without it, children's lives could be at risk.

Unanswered questions surround tragic death of 10-year-old boy in foster care in NW Indiana

Former foster parent speaks out after 10-year-old boy dies in indiana.

A young boy's death in Northwest Indiana is shrouded in mystery after he reportedly died in foster care.

PORTER COUNTY, Ind. - A young boy's death in  Northwest Indiana  has been shrouded in mystery after he reportedly died in foster care.

Now his loved ones said they are searching for answers.

Porter County Sheriff's officials have launched an investigation into the 10-year-old's death, but police are keeping details of the case close to the vest.

As of Wednesday evening, the child’s autopsy results were still pending.

The boy has been identified by family members as Dakota Levi Stevens. They told FOX 32 Chicago he had been living in foster care for several years.

"I’m just, I’m heartbroken," said Sabrina Hetzel, Dakota’s former foster grandmother. "He was put in foster care to be protected but he was not."

Around 2:30 p.m. last Thursday, paramedics were called to a home in the 200 block of Falcon Way in Liberty Township, near Valparaiso, for a ‘medical emergency.’

Neighbors said first responders performed CPR on the child and rushed the boy to the hospital, where he died over the weekend.  

Police are calling the situation ‘tragic’ but were not able to release additional details Wednesday.

"He deserves justice. I mean, this kid was dealt a wrong hand at life," said Hayden Hetzel, Dakota’s former foster father.

Hayden Hetzel was the boy’s foster dad for nearly three years, beginning in 2019. He said the boy was intelligent, funny, and loved to explore.

"Right off the bat, a conversation starter. He could talk your ear off honestly," said Hayden Hetzel.

Hayden Hetzel told FOX 32 Chicago that he tried to adopt the boy, but said the Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) moved him to a facility for children with behavioral issues.

Hayden and his mom, Sabrina, said they learned Dakota was just placed into the Liberty Township foster home in late April.  

On Wednesday, the former foster family shared fond memories of the boy, and an emotional plea for answers.

"He loved dancing, he loved singing, he loved investigating for bugs, he loved being outside. He was just a 10-year-old little boy," said Sabrina Hetzel. "He had a smile that just made you forget everything."

"He died in the hands of foster care," she continued. "Something needs to be done, we need justice."

Since his death, a social media campaign has taken off, called #JusticeforDakota.

Relatives said the boy's biological and former foster families were initially told by the state that they could not attend the boy's funeral; however, loved ones told FOX 32 that DCS notified them and will allow them to say their final goodbyes after all.

He will be laid to rest Monday, followed by a candlelight vigil planned for later that evening.   

The Indiana Department of Child Services issued the following statement on Wednesday:

"Our entire staff is heartbroken by this news. DCS works with stakeholders and partners across the state to investigate the death of a child any time there is suspected abuse or neglect and will take the appropriate action.

"DCS foster parents must complete intensive training and education to achieve licensure. Licensure is reexamined each year to ensure the foster family continues to meet DCS requirements, including additional training each year to maintain this license. DCS policy also addresses termination of licensure, which includes circumstances where a foster parent or member of the household has been substantiated for abuse or neglect. Please see see  Chapter 12-Foster Family Home Licensing ,  Foster Parent Training , and  Indiana Foster Care .

 "Any reports that a DCS employee was involved are inaccurate."

RELATED: Investigation underway in Indiana after 10-year-old dies following 'medical emergency'

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I-20 Requirements for Traveling Outside the United States

While you are studying at IUPUI you may want to travel outside the United States, such as:

• to return to your home country over summer break.
• to explore another country on spring break.
• to participate in a study abroad program.

But, before you pack your luggage, there are some steps you need to take to protect your F-1 status.

Get a Travel Signature on Your I-20

Before you leave the country, make sure you have a valid travel signature from an OIA advisor on page 3 of your I-20. You will not be able to re-enter the United States without one.

To get a travel signature, make a request through Atlas at least two weeks before you plan to travel, and bring your I-20 to OIA.

Travel signatures are valid for one calendar year or until the completion of your program, whichever comes first.

Make Sure Your I-20 Reflects Your Current Situation

If there have been any changes in your situation (for example, if you have changed your major, degree level, or source/s of financial support) that are not indicated on your current I-20, you will need to get a new one.

For changes in major or source/s of funding, request a travel signature through Atlas and note the changes in the “Note any Special Requests” section. You may be asked to provide updated financial documents.

For a change in degree level, you will need to complete the “New Program I-20” request in Atlas . However, you do not need to request a travel signature. When your new degree program request is approved, a new I-20 will be printed and signed for travel.

Timing can be critical for all of these changes, so start the process early. In most cases, updated financial documentation will be required to process your new I-20.

Make Sure Your I-20 Will Not Expire While You Are Out of the Country

Check the completion date in section 5 of your I-20 to see whether it is about to expire. If it expires while you are outside the U.S., you will not be able to re-enter the U.S.

If your I-20 is about to expire and you have not yet completed your program, you will need to apply for an I-20 extension through Atlas . You do not need to make a separate request for a travel signature. When your extension is approved, a new I-20 will be printed and signed for travel.

Updated financial documentation will be required to process your I-20 extension.

Make Sure Your Visa is Valid

Is the F-1 visa stamp in your passport valid beyond the date you plan to re-enter the United States? If not, you must apply for a new visa stamp while you are abroad.

Read about renewing your visa »

Travel to Countries Other Than Your Home Country

If you are traveling to a country other than your home country, you may need a visitor or transit visa. To find out, visit that country’s embassy website at Foreign Embassies of Washington, D.C. , and search for the consular section nearest you.

If you are traveling to the European Union, and your home country is not within the European Union, you may apply for the Schengen Visa , which permits travel within E.U. countries.

For the latest travel advisories, visit the U.S. Department of State’s website .

Traveling to or through Canada?

Canada now requires Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) for many citizens of visa-exempt countries who enter or transit through Canada. This means that you may need to apply for authorization even if you are only changing flights in Canada.  Learn more on the Canadian Immigration & Citizenship website »

Short trips to Mexico, Canada, or islands adjacent to the United States (such as the Bahamas)

You may be eligible to  return  from Mexico, Canada and islands adjacent to the United States even if you have an expired visa. This is generally allowable for trips of 30 days or less. It is essential that you  read all eligibility criteria on the Immigration and Customs Enforcement website  before you decide to use this exception.

Don’t forget, you need a travel signature on your I-20 even for short trips to nearby countries!

Traveling after completing your program?

Learn more about travel while on OPT »

Wondering if you can travel during OPT?

Have you ever been arrested.

You may have noticed questions on visa applications regarding arrests and convictions. It isn't a pleasant topic to discuss, learn more here »

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