Providers & Partners

Providers

The Indiana Department of Child Services contracts with numerous service providers throughout Indiana to deliver the services described under prevention, preservation, placement and permanency. Service providers who enter into contracts with DCS all commit to providing quality service based on established standards and agree to provide data relating to identified outcome measures. This DCS-Provider partnership enables all children and families to receive services necessary to alleviate identified needs.

Foster Care Support Tax Credit

During the 2021 legislative session, Gov. Holcomb signed HEA 1001-2021 into law, which created the Foster Care Support Tax Credit.

The new law allows the Indiana Department of Revenue to grant a tax credit to those who donate to a qualifying foster care organization.

A qualifying foster care organization:

1. Is exempt from federal income taxes under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
2. Provides:
   1. foster care prevention services and programs as required by 42 U.S.C. 671; or
   2. direct assistance to individuals in the foster care system.
3. Spends at least fifty percent (50%) of its available revenue on qualified services to Indiana residents.
4. Affirms that it will continue spending at least fifty percent (50%) of its available revenue on qualified services to Indiana residents.
5. Provides ongoing qualified services to at least two hundred (200) Indiana residents.

If you believe your organization meets the definition of a qualifying foster care organization under the law and wish to participate in this program, please submit an application to the Department of Child Services according to the instructions in the form. The application deadline is April 1 annually.    

DCS will review submissions and respond with its determination no later than June 30.

eContracting

The Department of Child Services (DCS), in compliance with the Indiana Department of Administration’s regulations utilizes and electronic contraction solution.  To allow DCS to effectively utilize this solution all contract holders must be a Bidder for the State of Indiana.  Instructions are listed below.

As a part of the electronic contraction solution DCS utilizes document signing thru DocuSign.  DocuSign requires confirmation of the signer’s information via a text to the signer’s mobile/cell number.

For the purposes of making a smooth transition, DCS has created a list of frequently asked questions and links regarding this new process below.

• How to become a Bidder for the State of Indiana
• Instructions on how to eSign Contracts
• Questions about eContracting email

Child Welfare Services Coordinators

• Child Welfare Services Coordinator Areas Map (Updated Feb. 7, 2024)

Community Mental Health Centers (CMHC)

• CMHC Request to Change Services
• Med Service Standards

Service Standards

• Community Based Service Standards
• Community Partners for Child Safety
• Child Advocacy Centers

Invoicing Documents and Tools  

These documents and tools are available to assist vendors in uploading documents, e-Invoicing, and vouchers (also available in the KidTraks Vendor Portal via Zendesk)

Partners

In order to accomplish the mission of protecting our children, families, and future, the DCS needs partners at both the state and local levels. Some state partners are, but are not limited to, the Department of Education, Department of Mental Health and Addictions, the Department of Family Resources, the Department of Workforce Development, the Department of Correction, and the Indiana State Department of Health. Some local partners are, but are not limited to, the local offices of the state agencies, the DCS provider network, schools, social services agencies, health care providers, public health, hospitals, child care providers, community mental health agencies, child abuse prevention agencies like Healthy Families and local Prevent Child Abuse Councils, Youth Services Bureaus, Child Advocacy Centers, the faith-based community, Twelve Step Programs, city and county government, law enforcement agencies, and food pantries.

Licensed Child Placing Agency

The Indiana Department of Child Services licenses foster family homes, licensed child placing agencies, child caring institutions, group homes, and private secure facilities.  Learn more here

Older Youth 

Older Youth Initiatives

National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD) web portal

All approved older youth services providers must submit monthly reports through the KidTraks NYTD web portal. The User must be approved by DCS Central office to access this application. More information can be found on the Older Youth Initiatives website page: https://www.in.gov/dcs/OlderYouthInitiatives.htm