Community Pages - Indiana

Initiative Co-Investment Partners:  The United Way of Central Indiana-Connected by 25, the Department of Child Services, the Richard M Fairbanks Foundation, the Lumina Foundation for Education, the Ruth Lilly Fund, the Central Indiana Community Foundation  and the Indianapolis Private Industry Council).

The United Way of Central Indiana's Connected By 25 project is working to improve outcomes for youth in foster care in five priority areas: employment, education, connections to the community, housing and physical and mental health. In this way they are a great match to be a co-investment partner with the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative. Other partners in Indiana are the Indiana Department of Child Services, the Lumina Foundation for Education, the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation, and the Indianapolis Private Industry Council. The Lumina Foundation's Education Success Program focuses on preparing young people for post-secondary education and provides supports once young people are in college.

Contact: Sam Criss, MS, 317-921-1258
United Way of Central Indiana
Connected by 25
3901 North Meridian Street
Indianapolis, IN 46208

Policy:

Youth Leadership Board sets priorities and committees for the following issue areas: 

•  Child Welfare: Explore concerns and ways to enhance service delivery, emphasizing current foster care practices and communication between child welfare staff and young people.

•  Family & Essential Connections: Address sibling connections and other forms of extended family visitation.  This committee will study the recently passed HB 1165 (homeless children, foster youth, and education), chart its implementation and develop strategies for  communicating their concerns (and kudos as appropriate) to state and local leaders.

•  Health Care and Mental Health: Review local concerns and barriers in the health care and mental health systems for young people in and formerly in care.

•  Housing and Independent Living Programs: Examine effectiveness of independent living services and research trends regarding safe affordable housing for young people transitioning from foster care.  

When budget cuts recently led to the elimination of a program which provided computers and computer training to young people in care, the Youth Leadership Board voted to use its grant making dollars to offer this opportunity to a group of young people in Indianapolis.  

News and Events:

Gail Thomas Strong discusses why she helps youth leaving foster care.

In June, 2010, the CBy25 Youth Board, staff and volunteers carried out their "Extreme Makeover, Park Edition" event as part of their YAR grant they received. Youth painted, weeded, clean-up trash and had a great time at Willard Park, located on the near eastside of Indianapolis.

United Way of Central Indiana receives prestigious Spririt Award from UPS