Program Overview

The Indiana Community Action Association is a proud recipient of a Diaper Distribution Demonstration and Research Pilot grant. This is a federal program within the Office of Community Services (OCS) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The Diaper Distribution Pilot focuses on making it easier for families with low incomes to get the diapers they need by funding the expansion of existing diaper distribution services through a robust network of community partners that provide anti-poverty services.

Every family that receives diapers is offered connections to other services, including job search and training supports and childcare, to help them on their path to financial stability.

Current Geographic Scope

Organizations a part of this program include those currently serving families in the counties of Allen, DeKalb, Noble, Steuben, LaGrange, Whitley, Huntington, Adams, Wells, Jay, Kosciusko, Lake, Porter, La Porte, Jasper, Newton, and Pulaski.

Eligibility and Enrollment to Request Diapers

Northeast Indiana

In Northeast Indiana, diapers are distributed through Healthier Moms & Babies. Recipients either must be

a)      Enrolled in a Healthier Moms & Babies Home Visitation Program;

b)      Living within one of the counties served with the Healthier Moms & Babies Hopper mobile unit visits; or

c)      Enrolled as a Brightpoint Head Start and Early Head Start family.

Enrollment is managed online via the portal Pantrysoft (https://app.pantrysoft.com/login/Healthiermomsandbabies). New clients will be prompted to make an account, answer registration questions, provide contact information, and add all children that are eligible to receive diapers. Clients must also upload required documents which include a government issued picture ID for the parent/guardian and birth certificates for each child receiving diapers.  

The client will select either the program they are receiving diapers from (Brightpoint Head Start, Healthier Moms & Babies Home Visiting Program) or select the county that they reside in and will receive diapers from the Hopper mobile distribution.  If receiving diapers at a Hopper site, clients will see the dates, locations, and times available in their county to register for.

A shorter registration must be completed each month before the cut-off date to continue receiving diapers. Allen County residents only that receive diapers through the Hopper must complete a group education class annually to receive diapers.  

For support during enrollment, contact Austin Kelly at [email protected] or 260-469-4067. 

Northwest Indiana

Diapers are distributed at 9 month, 1 year, and 1.5 year WIC appointments at participating CoAction locations. Registration and participation in WIC are required for diaper collection.

Learn how to sign up for WIC here: https://www.in.gov/health/wic/how-do-i-apply-for-wic/

Additional Benefits from Diaper Distribution

Families that register to receive diapers will have the option to receive job search and training supports and childcare supports by email.

In Northeast Indiana, families can also receive referrals to WIC, Head Start, Early Head Start, home visiting, childcare/CCDF, energy assistance, health insurance navigation, weatherization, and housing.

In Northwest Indiana, families can also receive referrals to a wide array of programs and services, including housing supports, energy assistance, tax preparation/VITA, and matched savings accounts.

Families in both distribution areas also benefit from webpages on workforce supports and childcare resources that have been compiled by staff at the Indiana Community Action Association. The webpages on workforce supports and childcare resources are available for free to all families, regardless of program participation. Please note that these are external programs, so IN-CAA is not responsible for the management of these programs.

Additional Background About the DDDRP

In October 2024, the Indiana Community Action Association (IN-CAA) received a grant from the DDDRP to help IN-CAA and its partners expand diaper distribution services across the state. IN-CAA has used the DDDRP funds to increase the capacity of two diaper banks and two Community Action Agencies (CAAs) to provide diapers, wipes, and diapering supplies to more families in their service areas. Partner organizations include Brightpoint in Northeast Indiana, Healthier Moms and Babies, CoAction, and the Indiana Diaper Bank.

For more information about these grants, visit the Diaper Distribution Pilot homepage.