Indiana nonprofit expands youth and family care

The Villages of Indiana announced this week that it is expanding its home-based support program for expectant and new parents to nine additional counties. This move makes the nonprofit the state’s largest provider of the Healthy Families Indiana program, which will now operate in 20 counties. The expansion fills gaps left by previous providers and ensures the initiative remains active in all 92 Indiana counties.

The program pairs families with support workers who assist with employment, housing, and mental health needs during and after pregnancy. Rachel Colclazier, a senior director at the organization, explained that the new locations allow staff to visit families in rural areas directly. She stated that this approach eliminates the need for families to spend money on gas to travel to offices. Instead, staff meet families in their own homes.

The expansion is funded by a four-year investment of more than $34 million from the Indiana Department of Childhood Services. Officials estimate that the funding will help an additional 475 families and generate more assessments over the next year. The money supports the free and voluntary nature of the home visits, keeping services accessible for those who might otherwise face financial barriers.

In a separate initiative also announced this month, the Indiana Youth Institute awarded The Villages of Indiana $500,000 over three years. This grant, part of a Lilly Endowment initiative, will support statewide youth mental health services. The funding aims to address rising rates of distress among Indiana’s young people.

According to the Indiana Department of Health’s 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 47% of youth reported feeling sad or hopeless. The survey also found that the average rate of reported suicide attempts among students rose to 15.7%. Shannon Schumacher, president and CEO of The Villages of Indiana, noted that accessing specialized care is often difficult. She said that when youth do receive help, the providers may not have specific training in trauma, depression, or anxiety in young people.

To reach underserved areas, the organization will use telehealth for these new services. Schumacher stated that young people are accustomed to virtual environments. She added that research supports the effectiveness of virtual services in behavioral health, particularly for teens.

Schumacher said the combined state funding and grants allow the organization to meet these needs quickly. Without the money, creating these services would take a longer period of time.