The Indiana Department of Child Services announced Thursday that James Pippin has been appointed regional manager. Pippin will oversee Region 3, consisting of Elkhart, Kosciusko, Marshall and St. Joseph counties. In his new role he will provide broad oversight and supervision for the four DCS’ county offices within the region. In addition, he will serve as a field representative of DCS’ central office in Indianapolis. He’ll also communicate local office needs to the central office, as well as supervising the directors of the four county offices while also developing and administering budgets. “James has a strong child welfare background and we’re pleased to have him take the reins for the Region 3 counties in north-central Indiana,” Jane Bisbee, DCS’ deputy director of Field Operations, said in the announcement. “His practical job experience as a family case manager, supervisor and local office director will benefit families in the counties he serves for years to come.” Born in Illinois, Pippin grew up in North Carolina. In 2006 he joined the Elkhart County DCS office as a family case manager. He was promoted to supervisor in 2008 and in 2011 became the local office director in the neighboring Noble County office. His new duties began Jan. 19. Pippin will have an office in the St. Joseph County DCS building, 300 N. Michigan St., Suite 230, South Bend. The Kosciusko County office is at 2307 E. Center St., Suite B, Warsaw; Elkhart County is at 1659 Mishawaka St., Elkhart; and Marshall County at 2125 N. Oak Road, Plymouth. To report child abuse or neglect, call the child abuse/neglect hotline: 800-800-5556.
