By LINDSAY SCOTT
Guest Columnist
At Kids’ Voice of Indiana, our mission is simple yet powerful: to amplify the voice of children and youth in the legal system to improve individual outcomes and inspire system-wide advances.
Our vision extends beyond the courtroom. We imagine a truly child-centered legal system that not only protects children but promotes family preservation, stability, and the opportunity for every young person to thrive. Achieving that vision takes more than one organization. It takes a community of partners working together to meet the evolving needs of Indiana’s youth and families.
Lifting up youth transitioning from foster care
One essential partnership in advancing this work comes from the very young people who have spent their formative years in foster care. Transitioning to adulthood can be overwhelming for any young person, but youth aging out of foster care face unique challenges, including housing instability, financial strain, and limited access to mentorship and career development. Too often, they face these challenges alone.
That’s why we launched the Youth Impact Board (YIB), an initiative designed to empower older foster youth and young adults who have aged out of care. The YIB gives these remarkable young people a platform to share their lived experiences, influence child welfare policy, and shape the services that impact their peers. Members meet monthly to build connections, develop leadership skills, and collaborate directly with stakeholders committed to improving outcomes for youth in foster care.
Their courage, honesty, and insight are helping to transform how our community understands and supports young people leaving care.
Partnerships that advance community well-being
Meaningful progress in child welfare and youth advocacy happens when public systems, nonprofits, and private organizations come together with shared purpose.
Our partnership with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is a powerful example of this collaboration in action. Anthem’s support helped launch the YIB and continues to sustain its growth, ensuring that participants have access to transportation, professional development opportunities, and the resources they need to succeed. This partnership also supports the creation of a Youth Resource Guide, translation services, and a Youth Enrichment Closet stocked with essentials such as clothing, toiletries, and technology items.
Anthem’s partnership demonstrates what is possible when the private and nonprofit sectors work hand in hand to strengthen the systems that serve children and families. Together, we are helping young people build confidence, pursue education and careers, and navigate adulthood with dignity and support.
These types of partnerships are essential to advancing the health and well-being of all Hoosiers, particularly our most vulnerable.
A shared commitment to Indiana’s children
At Kids’ Voice, we are deeply grateful for the partners who sit at the table, listen, and believe in the potential of every child we serve. Every young person deserves to be heard, and every story deserves to be valued. With the leadership of courageous young people, the support of committed partners, and the dedication of community advocates, we will continue working together to strengthen the systems that protect children and help families thrive.
Forty years of advocacy in action
For more than four decades, Kids’ Voice of Indiana has delivered programs that empower and protect children involved in the legal system.
Our Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program pairs trained community volunteers with children who have experienced abuse or neglect, ensuring their voices are heard in court and providing stability during times of uncertainty.
Through the Children’s Law Center of Indiana, we share over 30 years of legal expertise to equip attorneys, judges, and service providers with the tools they need to make informed, compassionate decisions affecting children’s lives.
Our Guardian ad Litem (GAL) volunteers advocate for children’s best interests in complex legal cases, while our Supervised Parenting Time (SPT) program provides a secure, neutral environment where children can safely connect with non-custodial parents. Together, these programs reflect our unwavering belief that every child’s voice matters.
Lindsay Scott serves as the president and CEO of Kids’ Voice of Indiana.