Special adviser Adam Krupp is anticipated to complete his state employment by the end of the year, culminating in a comprehensive evaluation of Indiana’s child welfare system. This report serves as a follow-up to a 2018 assessment conducted by the Child Welfare Policy and Practice Group, which led to significant reforms.
Krupp transitioned into his special adviser role for Governor Mike Braun on abuse and neglect issues in April, after stepping down as director of the Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) following a three-month medical leave. He maintained an annual salary of $210,000 in this advisory capacity. Jennifer Dorfmeyer, the new DCS Director, also earns an annual salary of $210,000.
Addressing public questions and criticism about his role, Krupp told the Capital Chronicle that he views it as an "investment as opposed to an expense or a cost." He explained that the day-to-day demands and crises within the child welfare system can often stall critical improvements and strategic initiatives.
Krupp stated that the advisory role allowed him to step away from the overwhelming daily routine and concentrate solely on identifying necessary improvements and developing implementation strategies. He files weekly status reports with the governor's office, which show that the majority of his 37-hour workweeks are devoted to crafting the updated assessment.
The forthcoming comprehensive assessment is expected to be hundreds of pages long. Krupp emphasized that its purpose is not to critique past efforts but to improve the system moving forward, always prioritizing the best interests of children. The assessment will revisit high-level evaluations of the agency, analyze data trends, and propose dozens of recommendations for the future. Some of these changes could be implemented internally by DCS, while others would require legislative approval from the General Assembly.
In a statement, Governor Mike Braun expressed his gratitude for Krupp’s service and commitment to Hoosier children. The governor added that he looks forward to reviewing the final report and its recommendations on how the state can continue to serve and protect its most vulnerable population.
Beyond the system evaluation, Krupp has also explored ways to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into child welfare operations. He clarified that this would not involve AI making child welfare determinations, but rather using it to reduce administrative burdens such as paperwork and data entry. The goal is to enable caseworkers to spend more direct time with families and children in the field.
Krupp mentioned AI programs that can forecast staffing needs based on rising caseloads, even considering factors like major plant shutdowns in a specific region. Another potential AI application involves mining large case files to identify possible kinship placements. He noted that AI could accomplish this task in approximately 60 seconds, a process that might take a human caseworker up to a week when sifting through years of notes from multiple case managers.
