INDIANAPOLIS  – Recognizing that the start of the school year can be difficult for families, especially when it comes to the cost of school supplies, clothes and other needs, the Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) and its partners have coordinated more than 30 events across the state in July and August aimed at helping provide families with back-to-school resources.

“School-age children need to be focused on doing well in school and not on whether they’ll have pencils to do their homework or a meal on the table when they come home,” said DCS Director Eric Miller, MPA, MBA. “If we can help connect families to the resources they need for the start of school, then children can keep their attention where it needs to be – on learning.”

Thousands of families across the state have benefited from the community outreach. One of the largest events was held in Lake County earlier this month. DCS, in partnership with Geminus, handed out more than 1,000 backpacks and other school supplies and provided food, haircuts and information about fire safety, parent support groups, safe sleep and other community resources to more than 1,500 families. Additionally, DCS recruited seven families to apply to become foster families.

“Getting ready to go back to school is an exciting time for children and families,” said DCS Regional Manager Twan Stokes. “Our annual back-to-school event helps increase that positive energy and excitement while giving the community a chance to come together and make sure children and their families have the tools and resources for success.”

Marion County DCS, alongside Firefly Children and Family Alliance, Cornerstone and ML Triplett, gave away 350 backpacks filled with school supplies, household cleaning supplies, hygiene products and bags of fresh vegetables and fruits. In Tipton County, the local DCS office partnered with several community organizations to provide more than 600 students with school supplies. Additionally, DCS’ foster care team joined partners in Lawrence, Washington and Perry counties to distribute backpacks, school supplies and clothing to nearly 3,000 children across those communities.

“These events are a shining example of how communities can come together to support children and families and position them to succeed,” Miller said. “I’m grateful to all the organizations that contributed their time and resources and hope to see these efforts expand so we can serve even more families in the future.”