Top 10 Community Resources We Recommend to Families

Navigating the child welfare system can feel overwhelming, but you’re not alone. Indiana has a strong network of community organizations dedicated to supporting families involved with the Department of Child Services (DCS). These resources can provide crucial assistance as you work toward family stability and reunification. Here are ten essential community resources that can make a meaningful difference in your journey.

1. Indiana 211 - Your Gateway to Local Support

Indiana 211 serves as a comprehensive information and referral service connecting families to local resources. This free service operates 24/7 and can be accessed by simply dialing 2-1-1 or calling 866-211-9966. Their trained community navigators can help you find everything from emergency assistance to long-term support services. They also offer online resources at in211.org, making it easy to search for specific types of help in your area.

2. Gleaners Food Bank - Addressing Food Insecurity

Food security is fundamental to family stability. Gleaners Food Bank leads the fight against hunger in Indianapolis, operating multiple food pantries and mobile food distributions throughout the community. They work with partner agencies across the city to ensure families have consistent access to nutritious food. Beyond emergency food assistance, Gleaners offers programs specifically designed to help families achieve long-term food security.

3. Shepherd Community Center - Wraparound Family

Support Located on Indianapolis’s near eastside, Shepherd Community Center provides relationship-based, comprehensive care designed to break the cycle of poverty. Their approach recognizes that families need multiple types of support simultaneously. Services include emergency assistance, educational programs, workforce development, and family support services. Their wraparound model ensures that families receive coordinated care rather than having to navigate multiple systems independently.

4. Second Helpings - Hunger Relief and Community Support

Second Helpings operates as both a hunger relief organization and a workforce development program. They rescue food that would otherwise go to waste and transform it into nutritious meals for families in need. Additionally, their culinary job training program provides employment opportunities for individuals working to rebuild their lives. This dual approach addresses both immediate hunger needs and long-term economic stability.

5. NAMI Indiana - Mental Health Support and Advocacy

Mental health challenges often intersect with child welfare involvement. NAMI Indiana (National Alliance on Mental Illness) provides education, support groups, and advocacy for individuals and families affected by mental health conditions. They offer free support groups specifically for family members, helping parents and caregivers develop coping strategies and access appropriate mental health services. Their resource database connects families to mental health providers throughout the Indianapolis area.

6. Community Compass - Digital Resource Navigation

Community Compass represents a modern approach to resource navigation, offering both website and smartphone app access to food resources throughout Indianapolis. Available in eleven languages, this digital tool helps families locate food pantries, meal sites, SNAP and WIC retailers, and nutrition program eligibility screening. The accessibility and multilingual support make it particularly valuable for diverse families navigating the system.

7. Healthy Families Indiana - Prevention and Early Support

Prevention services can help families avoid deeper involvement with the child welfare system. Healthy Families Indiana, supported through DCS, provides voluntary home visiting services for expectant parents and families with young children. Their trained family support workers help parents develop parenting skills, connect to community resources, and create safe, nurturing environments for their children.

8. Food Resource Services Hub (FRSH) - Personal Navigation Support

While digital tools are helpful, sometimes families need personalized assistance navigating available resources. The Food Resource Services Hub offers live navigators who work directly with families to identify food resources they qualify for and help them access these services. This personalized approach can be particularly valuable for families dealing with complex situations or multiple barriers to accessing assistance.

9. Division of Family Resources (DFR) - Government Assistance Programs

The Indiana Division of Family Resources administers several critical assistance programs that can provide stability for families involved with DCS. These include SNAP (food assistance), TANF (temporary cash assistance), Medicaid, and childcare assistance. Families can apply for these services by contacting their local DFR office or calling 800-403-0864. Having stable access to basic needs through these programs can significantly support family preservation efforts.

10. Indy Hunger Network - Coordinated Food Security Support

The Indy Hunger Network coordinates among the 210+ food pantries operating throughout Indianapolis, ensuring that families can access food assistance efficiently and without duplication. They provide training and networking opportunities for food pantries, helping them adopt best practices and collaborate effectively. For families, this means better coordinated services and more consistent access to food assistance across the community.

Making the Most of These Resources

When accessing community resources, consider these strategies for success:

• Start with Indiana 211 - Their comprehensive and trained navigators can help you identify which resources best match your specific needs and circumstances.

• Be honest about your situation - Community organizations are there to help, and being transparent about your challenges allows them to provide the most appropriate assistance.

• Ask about additional services - Many organizations offer multiple programs, and staff can often connect you to services you might not have known about.

• Build relationships - Community organizations value ongoing relationships with the families they serve. Regular communication can lead to better support and additional opportunities.

• Document your participation - Keeping records of your engagement with community resources can be helpful when working with your DCS case manager to demonstrate your commitment to positive change.

The path through the child welfare system is rarely easy, but Indianapolis’s community resources provide crucial support along the way. These organizations understand the unique challenges facing families involved with DCS and are committed to helping you achieve stability and success. Remember that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness, and that these resources exist because the community believes in supporting families.

Whether you need immediate assistance with basic needs like food and housing, or longer-term support with parenting skills and mental health, these community resources can provide the help you need. Take advantage of these supports as you work toward your goals and remember that every step forward, no matter how small, is progress worth celebrating.

Your caseworker can also help you connect with these resources and may have additional recommendations based on your family’s specific situation. Don’t hesitate to discuss community resources during your meetings and ask for assistance in accessing the support you need.

For immediate assistance or to report child abuse or neglect, contact the Indiana Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 1-800-800-5556. This blog post is for informational purposes and does not replace professional advice from your DCS caseworker or other qualified professionals.