Office Closed

Due to the weather conditions in Central Indiana our office will be closed today. We hope all our friends are staying safe and warm.

Weather Conditions

Today looking out at the weather is beautiful, however hazardous to drive in... please be very careful!!

Our office will be closing today at 3 pm due storms headed our way.

Hazardous weather conditions may cause some trainings or mentor visits to be canceled on short notice. This policy provides some guidelines to follow for what to do in case of bad weather or hazardous road conditions.

• If the local school system where the training/visit is canceled, the training/visit will also be canceled.
• If there are hazardous driving conditions as stated by the Indiana State Police, such as ice, the training/visit will be canceled. Due to travel distance of our trainers/mentors, roads may or may not be hazardous at the destination of the training/visit or starting point of the trainer/mentor. Travel routes will be closely monitored by the trainer/mentor team and if hazardous conditions are present, the training/visit will be canceled.
• Trainers/mentors will try to contact all participants via phone using the number that is provided when you registered. Please provide Child Care Answers with the best number to contact you. Trainers/mentors will print off the most recent registration information to take with them in case calls need to be made.
• Trainers/mentors will contact the Education Coordinator for cancellation and the Education Coordinator will contact the location of the training with cancellation information.
  Child Care Answers will make the best effort to contact local TV and/or radio stations for cancellation of trainings.
  If you have a question as to if a training or visit is still scheduled or has been canceled, contact the Child Care Answers office at 800-272-2937.

Shocking Abuse Statistics

Count Down: 11 weeks to Child Care Answers "Cherish the Children: Preventing Child Abuse" Conference- Saturday April 16th- Don't Miss It!

Each year, more than 3 million children in the US experience neglect or abuse.

Children who are exposed to violence in the home are more likely to be in abusive situations as adults.

Girls who witness or experience Domestic Violence are more likely to be abused by a companion in adulthood.

Boys who witness abuse at home have a 1000% increased chance of being an adult abuser.
Effects on children can be psychological, behavioral, emotional or even physical. The scars (emotional and physical) stay with them for life, affecting their lives. Preschool age children may “reenact” the violent events they witness as a form of coping. Younger children may be aggressive while teenagers may experience outward, excessive rage. Worst damage comes from the impact abuse has on self-esteem. Depression, anger, controlling and coping with feelings and substance abuse are all negative effects that occur due to experiencing or witnessing domestic violence, but these can also be traced to low self-esteem.

Statistics show that children who witness abuse are more likely to commit crimes than those from non-violent families and the offending will start earlier for this age group, and generally be more violent. Children with exposure to Domestic Violence had a 24% greater chance of committing sexual assaults and were 74% more likely to commit personal crimes.

Substance abuse is a coping mechanism that allows adolescents to dull the pain of what they witnessed and assuages the guilt and helplessness they may feel. Abused or neglected children have an increased likelihood to engage in sexual activities at an earlier age than their peers. Children may exhibit anti-social behavior further distancing them from their peers. Are more likely to perform poorly in school and have lower academic achievements.

50% of men who frequently assaulted wives also frequently assaulted their children.
Over half of female victims of domestic violence live in homes with children under the age of 12.
Children who grow up in a home with Domestic Violence are 79% more likely to become victims or perpetrators of domestic abuse and 74% more likely to commit violent crimes.
Approx. 20% of US teens report dating someone who became violent with them. Victims face the threat of injury and also an elevated risk of substance abuse, poor health, sexually risky behavior, pregnancy and suicide.

Taken from Prevail

Child Care Answers Severe Weather Cancellation Policy

Hazardous weather conditions may cause some trainings or mentor visits to be canceled on short notice. This policy provides some guidelines to follow for what to do in case of bad weather or hazardous road conditions.

• If the local school system where the training/visit is cancelled, the training/visit will be canceled.
• If there are hazardous driving conditions as stated by the Indiana State Police, such as ice, the training/visit will be canceled. Due to travel distance of our trainers/mentor, roads may or may not be hazardous at the destination of the training/visit or starting point of the trainer/mentor. Travel routes will be closely monitored by the trainer/mentor team and if hazardous conditions are present, the training/visit will be canceled.
• Trainers/mentors will try to contact all participants via phone using the number that is provided when you registered. Please provide Child Care Answers with the best number to contact you. Trainers/mentors will print off the most recent registration information to take with them in case calls need to be made.
• Trainers/mentors will contact the Education Coordinator for cancellation and the Education Coordinator will contact the location of the training with cancellation information.
• Child Care Answers will make the best effort to contact local TV and /or radio stations for cancellation of trainings.

If you have any questions as to if a training or visit is still scheduled or has been canceled, contact the Child Care Answers office at 800-272-2937.

Covering Kids and Families

About CKF:
We are an outreach program designed specifically to assist individuals with completing paperwork required for Hoosier Healthwise, Health Advantage, and Healthy Indiana Plan. Our goal is to ensure that all families have access to affordable healthcare. We have Community Outreach Workers, including bi-lingual staff assigned to areas within Marion County and the seven surrounding counties.

Who Is Eligible?
There are specific household and income guidelines for each program. An Outreach Worker can assist you with determining eligibility.

How to Refer Clients to Covering Kids and Families
Joakima Doss
Office: 317-221-2041
Fax: 317-221-3188
Email: jdoss@hhcorp.org

Do you have a weather emergency plan?

With the forecast of bad weather this week, do you have a plan of action in place for bad weather? Below are some tips and things to think about for winter weather emergencies.

• Have a plan for your children in case school/child care closes early. Share the plan with your child and the school.


• Have emergency supplies on hand. Some items to include would be flashlights, pantry items, several gallons of bottled water, a battery operated emergency weather radio and a cell phone. For young children don't forget diapers, wipes, formula and baby food.


• Carry emergency supplies in your car such as bottled water, blankets, flares, first aid kit and jumper cables.


• Shovel out all fire hydrants so that fire fighters can access them in case of a fire.


• Finally, if you don't have to leave STAY INSIDE. However tempting it may be for kids to go out and make snow angels or play in the falling snow, use caution. Those blowing winds - both before and after a blizzard - are cold enough to cause frostbite, and snowdrifts may hide dangers children might otherwise see. Stay indoors where it's safe, and warm!