Indianapolis directing $2 million toward child advocates

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November 25, 2009

The Associated Press Associated Press Wed Nov 25, 2009, 04:06 PM EST

INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis officials announced Wednesday that an additional $2 million would be directed toward shortening a backlog of about 800 abused and neglected children in the city who are on a waiting list to get adult advocates.

A 2005 state law requires advocates for children involved in child welfare cases, but Marion County and others have long struggled with waiting lists. The advocates, who are mostly volunteers, act on behalf of children, providing reports to the courts and helping children with social services issues.

"We could be nine months into a case before a child gets his advocate," Marion County juvenile court Judge Marilyn Moores said. "If you're waitlisted nine months, you're essentially unrepresented for that time."

Moores joined Mayor Greg Ballard in announcing the increased funding, which will come from the county court system's reserve fund.

According to a published report, there was a statewide backlog of 4,000 children awaiting advocates at the end of 2008 in the 65 counties with certified advocate programs. Marion County's waiting list is down from about 1,100 at the start of the year.

The state advocates office has put up highway billboards seeking more volunteers and recently received a $20,000 grant to create a recruiting Web site.

"We've had more interest than ever," said Leslie Dunn, the office's director.

Cindy Booth, director of Marion County's child advocates agency, said the additional funding will allow the hiring of more staff to recruit and train up to 200 more advocates. The agency had more than 350 volunteers who helped monitor the cases of about 5,500 children during 2008.

"We are hoping that by the end of next year all children will be represented," Booth said.

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