Commission To Examine Inequalities In Indiana

The Commission on Disproportionality in Youth Services has been analyzing the demographics of services like adoption agencies and juvenile detention centers.Among other things, the panel has found that African-American children in Indiana are more likely to be placed in foster or adoptive homes.Commission co-chair Michael Patchner hopes that eliminating inequalities will improve youth services all around.“When we’re looking at service delivery we’re not just looking at service delivery for minorities, but we’re looking at all the citizens of Indiana," he says. "I think if we address services that better effect minorities, we’re going to better effect the majority population as well.”The commission will also hold public forums to hear suggestions for improving youth programs. One will be held in New Albany on June 11th.