The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration’s Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning announced the Employer-Sponsored Child Care Fund, part of Governor Eric J. Holcomb’s 2023 Next Level Agenda, to mobilize employers and communities to create or expand child care offerings that address the needs of working Hoosiers.
Continue readingChildcare Providers Can Apply for Help with Operating Expenses
Indiana is directing a portion of its federal COVID-19 money to childcare providers. Childcare and out-of-school programs can apply for funding to cover three months of operating costs, under the new Build, Learn, Grow Stabilization Grants program.
Continue readingIndiana Providing another $1.3 Million to Expand Naloxone Distribution
Indiana is stepping up its naloxone distribution, amid a significant increase in overdose deaths. The Governor’s Office says Overdose Lifeline will distribute another 35,000 doses of the opioid overdose reversal medication and place another 215 “NaloxBox” units, thanks to another $1.3 million in state funding. A “NaloxBox” is a hard acrylic box containing six to eight doses of naloxone that organizations can mount outside of their buildings.
Continue readingEssential Workers Can Keep Getting Help Paying for Childcare through March 2022
Essential workers can continue to get help paying for childcare. The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration says the Build, Learn, Grow scholarship has been extended through next March.
Continue readingRusyniak to Replace Sullivan as Indiana FSSA Secretary
Indiana’s top social services official is stepping down. Dr. Jennifer Sullivan is leaving her position as the secretary of the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration. The Governor’s Office says she’s taken a job in North Carolina as the senior vice president of strategic operations at Atrium Health. Governor Holcomb has appointed FSSA Chief Medical Officer Dr. Dan Rusyniak to take over as secretary on August 1.
Continue readingTeachers, School Staff to Be Fully Eligible for COVID-19 Vaccine in Indiana Starting Monday
Indiana teachers will be able to get the COVID-19 vaccine at any vaccination site in the state starting Monday. It’s been available to educators at pharmacies taking part in the federal vaccination program for the past few days.
Continue readingFSSA Continues Exploring Possible Changes to Long-Term Care Services
Efforts continue to make it easier for Hoosiers in need of long-term care to get it at home. The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration’s goal is to get the right care to the right individual at the right place at the right time, according to Chief Medical Officer Dr. Dan Rusyniak.
Continue readingIndiana to Continue Offering Pandemic EBT Benefits for Virtual Students
Making sure Hoosiers have access to food as the pandemic continues remains a priority for state officials. Families with kids attending class virtually who would normally get free or reduced-price meals at school will be able to get that funding on a Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer card.
Continue readingFood Security a Big Concern, According to New ‘Hoosier Health and Well-Being Atlas’
The State of Indiana is looking to give a better picture of how where you live impacts your health and well-being. The Family and Social Services Administration announced the launch of its new Hoosier Health and Well-Being Atlas this week.
Continue readingIDOE Submits Reentry Guidelines for Schools
The Indiana Department of Education released information Friday morning concerning health guidelines given to schools in order to reopen safely.
Continue readingIndiana to Allow Outdoor Visitation at Long-Term Care Facilities
Hoosiers will soon be able to visit loved ones living in long-term care facilities. The state plans to issue guidance for outdoor visitation, according to Family and Social Services Administration Chief Medical Officer Dr. Dan Rusyniak.
Continue readingSNAP Recipients Can Now Use Benefits for Online Food Purchases
Hoosiers may now use SNAP benefits to order groceries online. Indiana Family and Social Services Administration Secretary Dr. Jennifer Sullivan announced Wednesday that the program is officially up and running.
Continue readingIndiana Lining Up Retailers for SNAP Delivery Service
The State of Indiana is working with two major retailers to bring grocery delivery service to residents using the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Family and Social Services Administration Secretary Dr. Jennifer Sullivan says testing of the new SNAP delivery program will start early next week, and so far, the state has letters of intent from Amazon and Walmart.
Continue readingPandemic Electronic Benefit Transfers to Begin This Week
Families whose children receive free and reduced meals at school will get additional assistance beginning this week with Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer benefits.
Continue readingIndiana Launches Mental Health Resources Website
A website to help Hoosiers take care of their mental health was launched Monday. BeWellIndiana.org offers free, expert mental health resources put together by the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration Division of Mental Health and Addiction, according to FSSA Secretary Dr. Jennifer Sullivan.
Continue readingCass County COVID Cases Continue to Spike amid Testing at Meatpacking Plant
Cass County’s COVID-19 outbreak continues. The spike pushed Indiana to its largest single-day increase in positive cases yet Monday, according to Family and Social Services Administration Chief Medical Officer Dr. Dan Rusyniak.
Continue readingState Health Commissioner Ordering Long-Term Care Facilities, Jails to Report COVID-19 Cases
The Indiana State Department of Health is taking action to slow the spread of COVID-19 in long-term care facilities. State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box said Wednesday that the state’s seen 31 deaths among residents of 12 facilities.
Continue readingState Officials, Bowen Center Offer Mental Health Tips for COVID-19 Pandemic
COVID-19 concerns are taking their toll on people’s mental health. The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration has seen some alarming statistics in recent weeks, according to Secretary Dr. Jennifer Sullivan
Continue readingSNAP Recipients to Receive Maximum Benefit Amounts Starting Sunday
More than 152,000 Hoosier households are expected to see their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits increase starting Sunday. The federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act lets states give SNAP recipients the maximum SNAP allotment based on household size, according to the Indiana Family & Social Services Administration.
Continue readingFSSA Reports Increase in SNAP Applications during COVID-19 Pandemic
State officials say they’re making sure that those who need food assistance can continue to get it during the COVID-19 pandemic. Indiana Family & Social Services Secretary Dr. Jennifer Sullivan says the state has seen an increase in applications for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP.
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