CHILDREN'S BUREAU INC

Programs

1. Firefly children and family alliance is the largest child abuse prevention provider in central indiana. The agency assumed this responsibility in 1999 when a federally funded grant supported the pilot of the neighborhood alliance for child safety program (nacs) in marion county. The impact of the nacs program on child abuse prevention was so successful that it expanded throughout central indiana and was renamed community partners for child safety. The program is voluntary and designed to ensure safe, stable homes for children. Cpcs provides community support to vulnerable families located in central indiana who self-identify or are referred to by community agencies, schools, churches, relatives, and other community systems. Providing services in the home is the first step in identifying underlying issues that can lead to instability and unsafe environments for children. Trained case managers help families understand the importance of defining and working toward family specific goals. Goals often include securing safe, affordable housing, seeking employment or advancing job skills, learning and using constructive communication and parenting skills, and connecting families to…

   $9,926,374 spentof which $2,385,815 as grants$1,381,059 earned by the program
   25% of program spending

2. Family preservation services through our family preservation services, our therapists, case managers, and family support specialists work side by side with families to develop individualized and client-centered treatment plans. Our program is structured to build trust with family members and create a partnership that focuses on child well-being and family connections. The home environment is conducive to therapy sessions because it's where families are generally most at ease and willing to speak openly. As part of our family preservation services, our staff members work closely with the department of child services to identify and work toward common goals. Even in cases where children must be removed from their families to ensure their safety, reunification is always a priority. Our therapists, case managers, and family support specialists implement a wide range of evidence-based strategies that build on family strengths and address the issues that led to the separation, as well as any other concerns. As part of our family reunification program, we offer father engagement services. This program identifies fathers and helps them reengage in their children's lives. In many cases,…

   $9,132,264 spentof which $2,513,572 as grants$1,270,575 earned by the program
   23% of program spending

3. The children's shelter offers emergency, temporary housing for children experiencing crises in indianapolis and central indiana. The facility offers a safe haven to runaway and homeless youth, as well as kids removed from their homes due to child abuse and neglect. The children's shelter also offers planned respite services for families who are experiencing significant stress and challenges at home. On average, kids stay at the shelter for less than two weeks. Ultimately, our children's shelter is designed to provide short-term assistance to help children and families get through difficult times and achieve personal growth. We offer a range of services for youth staying at the children's shelter, including counseling, mentoring, and life-skills training. Programming at the children's shelter follows the teaching-family model, an approach that's clinically proven to effectively address trauma and equip children with life skills and effective coping mechanisms. The teaching-family model is designed to motivate youth to take personal responsibility for developing the skills they need to succeed. The program teaches youth to identify and develop techniques to work toward their goals.…

   $2,779,386 spentof which $564,478 as grants$386,697 earned by the program
   7% of program spending

4. Support and resources for young adults after foster care. Our placement and supervision program allows youth, who have effectively aged out of the foster system but were previously under the care of the department of child services and probation, to continue receiving certain support services. This program allows our case managers to provide financial assistance for rent, utilities, food, clothing and other incidentals based on individual need. The program is designed to help these teens and young adults develop independent living skills. Participants need to be employed full time or attending school with part-time employment. The independent living program provides teens in the foster system with one-on-one case management services focused on building self-reliance skills. The support program is open to older foster youth and young adults ages 16 to 21, although the department of child services determines individual eligibility. Voluntary services is a case management program for adults ages 18 to 21 who opt to continue receiving certain services. The young adults who join the program are expected to participate actively and outline a plan for achieving independence. Youth…

   $17,867,472 spentof which $2,043,800 as grants$2,485,907 earned by the program
   45% of program spending

The 4 programs described on its FY2024 Form 990, listed largest first by expense. Program spending in total: $39,705,496.