DCF secretary says better community support could keep more kids out of Kansas foster care system

TOPEKA — Almost half of the youths placed in foster care in 2022 were there because they needed better resources, not because of abuse or neglect, said Laura Howard, secretary of the Kansas Department for Children and Families.

Howard argued for strengthened community services and support during a Wednesday presentation on foster care placement issues to the House Child Welfare and Foster Care Committee and the House Corrections and Juvenile Justice Committee. 

“Perhaps there were mental health issues going on with the child, perhaps there were behavioral needs, but again, not abuse or neglect,” Howard said. 

According to Howard’s report, 737 youths aged 14 or older were placed in foster care during the 2022 fiscal year. Out of these youths, 40%, about 298, were removed from their homes because their families were flagged as needing assessment.

DCF assessment conditions include instances where the child is abusing drugs, has behavioral problems, skips school often or runs away frequently, among others. 

To reduce this type of foster care placement, DCF has implemented programs in Saline and Wyandotte counties to help teenagers and their parents access community support, resolve conflicts and reduce truancy rates. DCF is also expanding statewide access to a mental health system. 

These efforts come after widespread anger with the foster care system. In June 2022, a watchdog group reported Kansas had one of the highest rates of missing foster children. An August 2022 DCF report showed that 66 of approximately 6,200 foster care children were unaccounted for.

In November 2022, lawmakers convened for two days to explore concerns about the state’s foster care system, hearing about 15 hours of testimony to pinpoint areas of concern within the system. 

This legislative session, lawmakers have proposed a foster care bill of rights, among other legislation geared toward fixing the foster care system. The bill of rights would inform children about their right to a stable environment, experience the least number of placements possible, have access to adequate clothing and other belongings, conduct family visits, attend school and participate in court proceedings, among other things.