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Public Safety January 24, 2023 - 9:51 am

Kids regularly run away from Kansas foster homes. Some have died. The state hopes to improve

by Blaise Mesa, Kansas News Service

More than 50 foster kids are missing in Kansas at a given time. The state said it is making progress to fix the problem, but critics say it could do more.

State Government November 21, 2022 - 11:06 am

Kansas child welfare panel raises issue with guardian ad litem, CASA programs

by Tim Carpenter, Kansas Reflector

Kansas legislators leveled criticism at programs designed to serve children subjected to abuse or neglect, alleging attorneys fell short of expectations and asserting a volunteer initiative failed to mirror diversity of children served.

State News November 5, 2022 - 3:00 pm

A 13-year-old ran away from a Kansas foster care facility and died driving a stolen car

by Blaise Mesa, Kansas News Service

A 13-year-old foster child died after running away from an event in Independence, Kansas, stealing a car and crashing.

State Government October 11, 2022 - 4:14 pm

A Kansas lawmaker says this foster care contractor has made too many mistakes to continue

by Blaise Mesa, Kansas News Service

State Sen. Molly Baumgardner called on the Department for Children and Families on Tuesday to stop placing kids with one of its contractors and to claw back $12 million in tax dollars following several high-profile mistakes.

State Government September 20, 2022 - 9:31 am

Independent review of Kansas foster care system points to progress and ongoing failures

by Sherman Smith, Kansas Reflector

An independent evaluation of the Kansas foster care system shows the state is improving the stability of children in state custody but breaking its promise to end the practice of children sleeping in offices overnight.

Health September 12, 2022 - 3:47 pm

Foster kids in Kansas can’t get the mental health care they need, but there might be a fix

by Blaise Mesa, Kansas News Service

Changes in state law should help expand mental health services, but it will take years to get everyone on board.

HHS Office of Inspector General,
State News June 13, 2022 - 4:18 pm

Federal watchdog says Kansas has one of the highest rates for missing foster children

by Sherman Smith, Kansas Reflector

More than 7% of Kansas foster children went missing during a 30-month period, according to a new federal watchdog’s report that places the state’s rate of runaways among the highest in the nation.

State News June 6, 2022 - 1:47 pm

Kansas foster children are still sleeping in offices years after promises that would end

by Blaise Mesa, Kansas News Service

Foster children still regularly sleep in offices instead of homes despite the Kansas Department for Children and Families settling a lawsuit by agreeing to end the practice.

State News December 23, 2021 - 12:31 pm

Audit of Kansas foster care provider scrutinizes financial controls, IT costs, CEO travel, PPP loan

by Sherman Smith, Kansas Reflector

Former Saint Francis Ministries CEO Robert Smith exploited a lack of financial controls and board oversight to drain the nonprofit’s resources on an IT project and escalating management expenses that included use of taxpayer funds for personal travel, liquor and entertainment.

State Government October 20, 2021 - 9:44 am

Thirteen-year quest for payment of child support exposes Kansas bureaucracy, incompetence

by Tim Carpenter, Kansas Reflector

A mother’s testimony about failure of the state’s child support collection system to deliver more than $53,000 owed by her daughter’s father inspired a rousing assault by legislators on state contractors Maximus and YoungWilliams.

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Current Top Posts

  • Pet World to close its 23rd and Louisiana location; new warehouse to remain open
    Pet World to close its 23rd and Louisiana location; new warehouse to remain open
  • Lawrence school board to hear special education report, consider contract for enrollment analysis
    Lawrence school board to hear special education report, consider contract for enrollment analysis
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    KU hosts first homecoming parade in 7 years
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    Debut novel from Lawrence author puts a Black woman in the romantasy spotlight 
  • What is the Kansas accent? Depends on whether you ask Kansans or non-Kansans, research finds
    What is the Kansas accent? Depends on whether you ask Kansans or non-Kansans, research finds
  • Pet World to open second location in Lawrence
    Pet World to open second location in Lawrence
  • Former Kansas employee sues Republican legislators who wanted her fired over Charlie Kirk post
    Former Kansas employee sues Republican legislators who wanted her fired over Charlie Kirk post

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