Indianapolis, In. — Republican state representative from Batesville Cindy Ziemke joined fellow House lawmakers to fill diaper bags with donated baby supplies for foster families across Indiana.
The lawmakers partnered with the Indiana Association of Resources and Child Advocacy and the Institute for Excellence for the “Bags of Hope” event. About 100 bags were filled and distributed to local foster families. The association serves more than 4,600 Hoosier kids every day.
During the event, Ziemke welcomed IARCA member organizations including representatives from Fayette Regional Care Pavilion. Fayette Regional is a full affiliate member of IARCA and provides comprehensive behavioral health services for youth and their families.
“Taking care of the kids in our community placing them in safe homes and giving them the care they need is crucial,” Ziemke said. “Recently, the Fayette Regional Care Pavilion expanded their in-patient services by over 30 beds and are constantly reinventing their services to better serve Connersville. It’s services like Fayette Regional that make all the difference.”
According to the Department of Child Services, the number of children in out-of-home care jumped from 13,811 in September 2015, to 17,214 just two years later. Ziemke said much of this increase is due to the escalating opioid epidemic.
