Childrens Bureau Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
EMPOWERING INDIVIDUALS TO BUILD STRONGER FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES.
- Income
- $48.1 million
- Spending
- $47.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 83%
- Reserves
- 4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 79%
- Employees
- 512
- Volunteers
- 350
- Highest pay
- $558,946, president & ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 4.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 12% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 3% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1583% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2534 of 34 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (4)
- $9.9 million spent. FIREFLY CHILDREN AND FAMILY ALLIANCE IS THE LARGEST CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION PROVIDER IN CENTRAL INDIANA. THE AGENCY ASSUMED THIS RESPONSIBILITY IN 1999 WHEN A FEDERALLY FUNDED GRANT SUPPORTED THE PILOT OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD ALLIANCE FOR CHILD SAFETY PROGRAM (NACS) IN MARION COUNTY. THE IMPACT OF THE NACS PROGRAM ON CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION WAS SO SUCCESSFUL THAT IT EXPANDED THROUGHOUT CENTRAL INDIANA AND WAS RENAMED COMMUNITY PARTNERS FOR CHILD SAFETY. THE PROGRAM IS VOLUNTARY AND DESIGNED TO ENSURE SAFE, STABLE HOMES FOR CHILDREN. CPCS PROVIDES COMMUNITY SUPPORT TO VULNERABLE FAMILIES LOCATED IN CENTRAL INDIANA WHO SELF-IDENTIFY OR ARE REFERRED TO BY COMMUNITY AGENCIES, SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, RELATIVES, AND OTHER COMMUNITY SYSTEMS. PROVIDING SERVICES IN THE HOME IS THE FIRST STEP IN IDENTIFYING UNDERLYING ISSUES THAT CAN LEAD TO INSTABILITY AND UNSAFE ENVIRONMENTS FOR CHILDREN. TRAINED CASE MANAGERS HELP FAMILIES UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF DEFINING AND WORKING TOWARD FAMILY SPECIFIC GOALS. GOALS OFTEN INCLUDE SECURING SAFE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, SEEKING EMPLOYMENT OR ADVANCING JOB SKILLS, LEARNING AND USING CONSTRUCTIVE COMMUNICATION AND PARENTING SKILLS, AND CONNECTING FAMILIES TO RESOURCES TO ADDRESS ADDICTIONS AND MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS. THE CASE MANAGER IS KEY IN IDENTIFYING NECESSARY COMMUNITY RESOURCES, INITIATING REFERRALS, AND ULTIMATELY SUPPORTING FAMILIES.
- $9.1 million spent. FAMILY PRESERVATION SERVICES THROUGH OUR FAMILY PRESERVATION SERVICES, OUR THERAPISTS, CASE MANAGERS, AND FAMILY SUPPORT SPECIALISTS WORK SIDE BY SIDE WITH FAMILIES TO DEVELOP INDIVIDUALIZED AND CLIENT-CENTERED TREATMENT PLANS. OUR PROGRAM IS STRUCTURED TO BUILD TRUST WITH FAMILY MEMBERS AND CREATE A PARTNERSHIP THAT FOCUSES ON CHILD WELL-BEING AND FAMILY CONNECTIONS. THE HOME ENVIRONMENT IS CONDUCIVE TO THERAPY SESSIONS BECAUSE IT'S WHERE FAMILIES ARE GENERALLY MOST AT EASE AND WILLING TO SPEAK OPENLY. AS PART OF OUR FAMILY PRESERVATION SERVICES, OUR STAFF MEMBERS WORK CLOSELY WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILD SERVICES TO IDENTIFY AND WORK TOWARD COMMON GOALS. EVEN IN CASES WHERE CHILDREN MUST BE REMOVED FROM THEIR FAMILIES TO ENSURE THEIR SAFETY, REUNIFICATION IS ALWAYS A PRIORITY. OUR THERAPISTS, CASE MANAGERS, AND FAMILY SUPPORT SPECIALISTS IMPLEMENT A WIDE RANGE OF EVIDENCE-BASED STRATEGIES THAT BUILD ON FAMILY STRENGTHS AND ADDRESS THE ISSUES THAT LED TO THE SEPARATION, AS WELL AS ANY OTHER CONCERNS. AS PART OF OUR FAMILY REUNIFICATION PROGRAM, WE OFFER FATHER ENGAGEMENT SERVICES. THIS PROGRAM IDENTIFIES FATHERS AND HELPS THEM REENGAGE IN THEIR CHILDREN'S LIVES. IN MANY CASES, FATHERS WHO PARTICIPATE IN OUR ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM ASSUME CUSTODIAL CARE FOR THEIR CHILDREN. OUR CASE MANAGERS PROVIDE ONGOING MENTORSHIP TO THESE DADS, MANY OF WHOM DIDN'T EXPERIENCE SAFETY AND STABILITY DURING THEIR OWN CHILDHOOD. THE FATHER ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO BREAK THAT CYCLE BY EMPOWERING DADS TO DEVELOP THE CONFIDENCE AND KNOWLEDGE TO BE GREAT DADS.
- $2.8 million spent. THE CHILDREN'S SHELTER OFFERS EMERGENCY, TEMPORARY HOUSING FOR CHILDREN EXPERIENCING CRISES IN INDIANAPOLIS AND CENTRAL INDIANA. THE FACILITY OFFERS A SAFE HAVEN TO RUNAWAY AND HOMELESS YOUTH, AS WELL AS KIDS REMOVED FROM THEIR HOMES DUE TO CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT. THE CHILDREN'S SHELTER ALSO OFFERS PLANNED RESPITE SERVICES FOR FAMILIES WHO ARE EXPERIENCING SIGNIFICANT STRESS AND CHALLENGES AT HOME. ON AVERAGE, KIDS STAY AT THE SHELTER FOR LESS THAN TWO WEEKS. ULTIMATELY, OUR CHILDREN'S SHELTER IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE SHORT-TERM ASSISTANCE TO HELP CHILDREN AND FAMILIES GET THROUGH DIFFICULT TIMES AND ACHIEVE PERSONAL GROWTH. WE OFFER A RANGE OF SERVICES FOR YOUTH STAYING AT THE CHILDREN'S SHELTER, INCLUDING COUNSELING, MENTORING, AND LIFE-SKILLS TRAINING. PROGRAMMING AT THE CHILDREN'S SHELTER FOLLOWS THE TEACHING-FAMILY MODEL, AN APPROACH THAT'S CLINICALLY PROVEN TO EFFECTIVELY ADDRESS TRAUMA AND EQUIP CHILDREN WITH LIFE SKILLS AND EFFECTIVE COPING MECHANISMS. THE TEACHING-FAMILY MODEL IS DESIGNED TO MOTIVATE YOUTH TO TAKE PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR DEVELOPING THE SKILLS THEY NEED TO SUCCEED. THE PROGRAM TEACHES YOUTH TO IDENTIFY AND DEVELOP TECHNIQUES TO WORK TOWARD THEIR GOALS. WE MAKE LIFE AT THE SHELTER AS COMFORTABLE AS POSSIBLE. CHILDREN AT THE SHELTER PARTICIPATE IN A RANGE OF DEVELOPMENTAL ACTIVITIES THAT ARE DESIGNED TO HELP THEM DEVELOP CERTAIN SKILLS. WE TEACH CHILDREN TO ACCEPT CONSEQUENCES, COOPERATE WITH OTHERS, FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS, ASK PERMISSION AND ACCEPT FEEDBACK. KIDS AT THE SHELTER ALSO HAVE 24/7 ACCESS TO A CRISIS WORKER. OUR PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED AROUND A SYSTEM THAT EMPHASIZES RESPECT, INTROSPECTION, PERSONAL BOUNDARIES, SAFETY, AND CONSISTENCY. CASE MANAGERS COORDINATE COMMUNICATION AND TRANSPORTATION FOR YOUTH TO A TEND THEIR HOME SCHOOL WHERE POSSIBLE OR RECEIVE EDUCATION ONSITE. RESIDENTS AT THE SHELTER HAVE ACCESS TO A WIDE RANGE OF ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING YOGA, ART PROGRAMS AND FIELD TRIPS. AN ONSITE CAFETERIA PROVIDES ALL MEALS. VOLUNTEERS OFTEN PROVIDE SUPPLEMENTAL ASSISTANCE.
- $17.9 million spent. SUPPORT AND RESOURCES FOR YOUNG ADULTS AFTER FOSTER CARE. OUR PLACEMENT AND SUPERVISION PROGRAM ALLOWS YOUTH, WHO HAVE EFFECTIVELY AGED OUT OF THE FOSTER SYSTEM BUT WERE PREVIOUSLY UNDER THE CARE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILD SERVICES AND PROBATION, TO CONTINUE RECEIVING CERTAIN SUPPORT SERVICES. THIS PROGRAM ALLOWS OUR CASE MANAGERS TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR RENT, UTILITIES, FOOD, CLOTHING AND OTHER INCIDENTALS BASED ON INDIVIDUAL NEED. THE PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO HELP THESE TEENS AND YOUNG ADULTS DEVELOP INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS. PARTICIPANTS NEED TO BE EMPLOYED FULL TIME OR ATTENDING SCHOOL WITH PART-TIME EMPLOYMENT. THE INDEPENDENT LIVING PROGRAM PROVIDES TEENS IN THE FOSTER SYSTEM WITH ONE-ON-ONE CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOCUSED ON BUILDING SELF-RELIANCE SKILLS. THE SUPPORT PROGRAM IS OPEN TO OLDER FOSTER YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS AGES 16 TO 21, ALTHOUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILD SERVICES DETERMINES INDIVIDUAL ELIGIBILITY. VOLUNTARY SERVICES IS A CASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM FOR ADULTS AGES 18 TO 21 WHO OPT TO CONTINUE RECEIVING CERTAIN SERVICES. THE YOUNG ADULTS WHO JOIN THE PROGRAM ARE EXPECTED TO PARTICIPATE ACTIVELY AND OUTLINE A PLAN FOR ACHIEVING INDEPENDENCE. YOUTH PLACEMENT SERVICES: WE HELP CONNECT INDIANA YOUTH AND PARENTS WITH THE RESOURCES THEY NEED TO LIVE SUCCESSFULLY. WE PROVIDE SHORT-TERM HOUSING THROUGH OUR CHILDREN'S SHELTER OR LONGER-TERM TREATMENT AT THE RACHEL GLICK COURAGE CENTER. IN ALL CASES, WE'RE COMMITTED TO DOING EVERYTHING THAT'S REQUIRED TO ENSURE THE CHILDREN WE SERVE REACH THE BEST POSSIBLE OUTCOME. OUR YOUTH PLACEMENT SERVICES ARE OPEN TO A RANGE OF INDIVIDUALS, INCLUDING ADULTS IN OUR COMMUNITIES WHO ARE INTERESTED IN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT BEING A LICENSED FOSTER PARENT AND JOINING OUR NETWORK OF CARING FOSTER FAMILIES. WE OFFER EXTENSIVE TRAINING RESOURCES TO CURRENT FOSTER PARENTS WHO ARE LICENSED THROUGH FIREFLY CHILDREN AND FAMILY ALLIANCE. OUR CHILDREN'S SHELTER SERVES AS A SHORT-TERM FACILITY FOR CHILDREN IN CRISIS, INCLUDING RUNAWAY AND HOMELESS YOUTH, AND THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN REMOVED FROM THEIR HOME DUE TO ABUSE OR NEGLECT. PLANNED RESPITE SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE FOR FAMILIES EXPERIENCING SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES. THE RACHEL GLICK COURAGE CENTER IS A SECURE, SHORT-TERM FACILITY FOR YOUTH REFERRED THROUGH THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF CHILD SERVICES OR JUVENILE DETENTION. PROVIDING A WIDE RANGE OF SUPPORT SERVICES FOR ADOPTEES AND THOSE SEEKING TO ADOPT. THE INDIANA ADOPTION PROGRAM IS A STATEWIDE INITIATIVE TO FIND LOVING, COMMITTED, SAFE, PERMANENT FAMILIES FOR CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE. THROUGH THE PROGRAM, FIREFLY CHILDREN AND FAMILY ALLIANCE HELPS RECRUIT PROSPECTIVE ADOPTIVE FAMILIES AND MATCH THEM WITH WAITING YOUTH. MOST CHILDREN IN THIS PROGRAM ARE OVER TEN YEARS OLD, AND MANY ARE PART OF SIBLING GROUPS, SO FAMILIES INTERESTED IN ADOPTING OLDER YOUTH OR MULTIPLE CHILDREN ARE ESPECIALLY NEEDED. EVERY YEAR, OVER 100 YOUTH FIND THEIR FOREVER FAMILIES THROUGH THE INDIANA ADOPTION PROGRAM. HELPING HOOSIERS CONFRONT THEIR BIGGEST CHALLENGES THROUGH OUR RECOVERY SERVICES, WE'RE WORKING TO HELP INDIVIDUALS ADDRESS PAST TRAUMA AND CURRENT STRUGGLES. WE'RE COMMITTED TO HELPING OUR CLIENTS MOVE BEYOND THE CHALLENGES OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT AND MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES BY DEVELOPING STRATEGIES TO COPE AND MOVE FORWARD. IF LEFT UNADDRESSED, THESE CHALLENGES CAN IMPACT ALL ELEMENTS OF AN INDIVIDUAL'S LIFE, INCLUDING WORK AND RELATIONSHIPS. OUR RECOVERY SERVICES HELP INDIANA CHILDREN, ADULTS AND FAMILIES HEAL. WE OFFER A RANGE OF SPECIALIZED SERVICES BUILT TO MEET OUR CLIENTS' NEEDS. WE RECOGNIZE THAT OUR CLIENTS REQUIRE INDIVIDUALIZED SERVICES. THE CLINICIANS, COUNSELORS, ADVOCATES AND RECOVERY COACHES ON OUR RECOVERY SERVICES TEAM OFFER COMPASSION AND EMPATHY FOR THE CLIENTS THEY TREAT. WHETHER WE'RE HELPING OUR CLIENTS RECOVER FROM DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, ADDICTION OR MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES, WE MAKE SURE THEY FIND THE HELP THEY NEED.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 1965.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.
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