Indiana Residential Services for Children Licensing Consultation

Opening a residential program for children in Indiana requires more than completing an application. The Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) expects applicants to choose the correct license type, document a genuine community need, establish qualified leadership, prepare a detailed plan of operation, build a complete policy package, and bring the proposed site into compliance.

CarePolicy.US helps you organize each part of that process so your submission is complete, consistent, and ready for review.

Important 2026 update: DCS licensing remains open. The July 2026 pause applies to new rates and contracts for Residential Treatment Service Providers, not to licensure. DCS also issued new initial licensing forms in July 2026; earlier versions are no longer valid. Always confirm current requirements and forms directly with DCS before submitting.

Which Indiana Residential License Do You Need?

Choosing the wrong facility type can change your building requirements, staffing rules, program design, and application documents. Make this decision before committing to a property.

Children's Group Home (GH)

A children's group home serves ten or fewer children age six or older on a 24-hour basis. The children must be able to follow direction and take appropriate action for self-preservation. The facility must be a one- or two-family dwelling.

Governing rules: 465 IAC 2-12 and IC 31-27-5

Child Caring Institution (CCI)

A child caring institution is a larger residential setting that provides 24-hour care to children. It has broader physical plant, program, and staffing requirements than a group home.

Governing rules: 465 IAC 2-9 and IC 31-27-3

Private Secure Facility (PSF)

A private secure facility provides secure residential care, typically for adjudicated youth or young people with higher-acuity needs. It is the most heavily regulated of the primary facility types.

Governing rule: 465 IAC 2-11

Emergency Shelter Care (ESC)

Emergency shelter care provides short-term emergency placement and may be licensed as an emergency shelter care group home or child caring institution. A qualifying provider serving ten or fewer children may hold a group home license and an emergency shelter license at the same facility, but must meet both rule sets.

Governing rules: 465 IAC 2-10 and 465 IAC 2-13

Who Needs an Indiana Residential License?

You may need DCS residential licensure if your organization plans to:

- Provide 24-hour residential care to children living apart from a parent or guardian
- Open a children's group home for ten or fewer children age six or older
- Operate a larger child caring institution
- Provide secure residential care to adjudicated or high-acuity youth
- Offer short-term emergency shelter care
- Add a new residential program to an existing Indiana agency

The right license depends on your population, capacity, level of security, program model, and property. CarePolicy.US can help you confirm the appropriate path before you invest in a building or begin drafting policies.

What Indiana DCS Expects Before You Apply

A documented need

Your plan of operation must begin with an evidence-based needs assessment showing that the population and geographic area you intend to serve are underserved. Applicants should use the DCS Residential Needs Assessment Protocol as their framework.

An established legal entity and governing body

Applicants should have formation documents, bylaws, EIN confirmation, a documented governing body, and written authorization for the person signing the application. Indiana rules require the full name, address, and occupation of each governing-body member.

A qualified administrator

Administrative, professional, and direct-care roles must meet the qualification standards for the selected facility type. Verify the administrator's qualifications before making a hiring commitment or building the application around that person.

A suitable property

The physical site must satisfy facility-specific rules for use, space, sleeping rooms, egress, bathrooms, ventilation, utilities, fire safety, and other environmental conditions. A signed electrician's certification is required before initial licensure.

A complete document package

The application package includes state forms, governance records, a plan of operation, financial documents, staffing and HR materials, child-care policies, health and medication policies, building and safety records, reporting procedures, and vendor-readiness documents. The guide identifies more than 70 items that may need to be written, obtained, or commissioned.