The Indiana Department of Child Services region that includes Bartholomew and Jennings counties will take public testimony next month at required biennial public hearings to form the child protection service plan and biennial regional services strategic plan.
The public hearing for DCS region 14 — which includes Bartholomew, Jackson, Jennings, Johnson and Shelby counties — is scheduled at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 13, at Bartholomew County DCS, 4445 Ray Boll Blvd., Suite A, Columbus.
State law requires the hearings every two years as part of preparing DCS’ child protection service plan and biennial regional service strategic plans.
“The Department of Child Services is seeking public testimony on the provision of child protection services, local service need and system change. The services will be targeted to the individual needs of children identified by the Department of Child Services or children alleged or adjudicated as children in need of services or delinquent,” according to a hearing notice from DCS.
Testimony will be limited to three minutes per speaker and will be given in the order of signature on a sign-in sheet available the day of the hearing. Written comments and testimony is encouraged at the time of the hearing.
