Indiana is the top state in the nation when it comes to the number of children adopted from foster care.

In fiscal year 2019, 2,489 Hoosier children were adopted through the Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS).

Governor Eric Holcomb and Families Assistant Secretary Lynn Johnson made the announcement Thursday, during which Johnson awarded Indiana an adoption and legal guardianship incentive award of more than $4.7-million. The funding can be used to enhance the state’s child welfare system.

Earlier this year, Governor Holcomb announced the creation of the first adoption unit within DCS, which brings additional staff into each region with the goal of finding permanent homes for children when parent rights have been terminated.

DCS has also more than doubled the number of adoption consultants in Indiana from seven to 19.

The department is currently in the process of rolling out the Adoption Rapid Permanency Review statewide, which promotes systemic change within the child welfare system.