James Payne

Payne

Javascript and Flash are needed to view this video. You can get flash here

Play Audio: Five Questions for James Payne Download MP3

James Payne, a former juvenile court judge in Marion County, has been director of the Indiana Department of Child Services since 2005. He spoke with editorial writer Karen Francisco about the department’s efforts in its first years as a state agency.

Here are excerpts of the interview; listen to the entire interview by going to The Journal Gazette’s home page at www.journa1gazette.net, click “opinion,” then click “5 Questions for James Payne.”

1 Child Services used to fall under the Family and Social Services Administration. How is the new structure an improvement?

It’s an improvement because it’s a recognition and, I hope, an emphasis on the importance of children particularly and child safety. The taking out from a large umbrella organization and carving out child protection and child support as a special responsibility … not only tells every Hoosier, but it tells every other agency, that this is an important part of state government that deserves the kind of attention that being a direct report to the governor provides.

2 You’ve hired hundreds of new caseworkers. What are the challenges in training new employees for such specialized work?

There are challenges in training with both the young and the experienced worker. I think what we’ve come up with is a balance that not only has an extensive training program, but combines that with a support network of a mentor who stays with that person from the first day they walk into that local office until they graduate and for three months past that.

3 Judge Peter Nemeth from St. Joseph County recently complained about a provision in the budget bill that gives you sole authority to approve out-of-state placements. In your former role as a judge, would you have supported such a change?

When we talk about out of state, there are actually two counties that account for over 85 percent of the out-of-state placements. … Many of our out-of-state placements are not across the border, as many thought they would be. Many of them are placements in Minnesota, in Iowa, in Nevada, Utah and Arizona, where it virtually precludes communication and working with the family.

On balance, this was the right thing to do. I understand while some would criticize it, I would hope that if I were still a judge I would recognize that there are some things that I may be inclined to do that others have an opinion of and – can we talk about these – and try to resolve them so that only those kids who need to be a great distance away and only these kids who have special treatment needs that another state or another facility outside of our state can provide that we don’t.

4 Legislation was passed this year to create a DCS ombudsman, but some have complained that the authority of the position was watered down. Will the ombudsman have unrestricted access to confidential information and independence from DCS?

We supported this legislation. … I think the best thing at this point is, let’s see what it does and if, over the next six months or a year, there needs to be some increase or reduction in the authority, that we evaluate at that point.

If what they want is to criticize or complain by saying there isn’t the authority, they won’t give that ombudsman the opportunity to do the most effective work they can, and whatever that ombudsman does, they will complain about. Because it may never be enough for some.

5 As far as state agency directors go, your tenure is quite long. Do you expect to stay through the end of Gov. Daniels’ second term?

I’m told the average life expectancy of a director in this position is about 18 months. I’m over that now by a bunch. I see nothing unless the governor doesn’t want me that would cause me to leave early. I came here with the support of the governor to accomplish things.

We have done a great deal, but we are not done yet.

Share this story

What's this?