By James Polston
TheStatehouseFile.com

INDIANAPOLIS— While in times of trouble, the Indiana Department of Child Services has launched an Instagram account aiming to share the daily lives of agency employees, stakeholders, and partners, as well as the children and families helped by the agency.

“DCS touches real families and real communities in every corner of our state,” Director Terry Stigdon said in a news release. “Each person has an important story to tell, and I think it’s crucial that we capture and share their unique and oftentimes poignant snapshots.”

As of the middle of Tuesday afternoon, the newly-created account had 88 followers and three posts, including one with a statement from the general manager of the Indianapolis Colts, Chris Ballard.

“Every kid needs a chance in life. Don’t ever let anybody tell you can’t do what you want to do. Sometimes, all it takes is for somebody to inspire you in some way,” Ballard wrote.

The other two posts include a statement from Stigdon and from a former DCS collaborative care case manager who adopted a boy after he was placed in her care.

“The bottom line is DCS is here to help Hoosier children and families,” Stigdon posted. “I’ve witnessed firsthand the incredible dedication and compassion are more than 4,000 employees bring to this hard work on a daily basis.”

The former DCS employee wrote about her experience:

“My son was placed with me when he was 10 months old. I chose to be his mom simply because he needed one, and I was able to do that. It’s by far the best decision I have ever made. Some people say things like ‘He’s so lucky to have you’ and make comments about my decision to adopt. In reality, my son saved me. I don’t know where I would be today if I never held that little boy.”

These DCS posts can be found @voicesofdcs on Instagram.

FOOTNOTE: James Polston is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.