Tammy Cook

This pilot plan outlines Kansas' commitment to Technical Bulletin 14 (TB14) for advancing 'A Home for Every Child'. It consolidates existing improvement efforts into a streamlined framework focused on system-level impact. The plan targets two primary drivers: reducing the number of children entering and remaining in foster care, and strengthening the recruitment and retention of foster homes aligned with child needs. Key goals include reducing the number of children in foster care (Goal A) and strengthening family-type placement availability and capacity (Goal B). Strategies involve reinforcing decision-making, engaging kin and relational supports, improving placement stability, diligent recruitment and retention of foster homes, and enhancing monitoring. The ultimate aim is to ensure that every child has access to a safe and stable home by translating improvement efforts into measurable system trends.

This document is the 2026 Annual Progress and Services Report for the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF), detailing activities and progress related to the 2025-2029 Child and Family Services Plan. Its core purpose is to report on the state's efforts to achieve lasting safety and increased well-being for children and families, aligning with its Program Improvement Plan. The plan focuses on shifting from a child welfare system to a child and family well-being system by prioritizing family voice, primary prevention, policy co-design, and community engagement. Key areas of focus include improving outcomes in safety (e.g., timely investigations, services to prevent removal), permanency (e.g., placement stability, timely permanency goals), and well-being (e.g., educational and health needs), alongside enhancing systemic factors such as information systems and case review processes.

The meeting included updates on the 2024 Legislative Session, budget, and various programs. Legislative updates covered enacted bills such as the SOUL Family legal permanency option, KORA amendments for critical information sharing, establishment of the Office of the Child Advocate, foster care student eligibility for at-risk programs, Kathy's Bill, foster youth bank accounts, and the Protect Vulnerable Adults Act. The budget update included the FY 2025 approved budget, funding sources, and allocations by program. Program updates covered Child Support Services, Rehabilitation Services, Economic and Employment Services, LIEAP automation, Child and Family Wellbeing, Family First Prevention Services, Family Preservation Services, foster care statistics, case management contracts, therapeutic family foster homes, and collaborations with various organizations.

The Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) held a Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) State Plan Public Hearing to gather feedback on the Draft CCDF State Plan for FFY 2025-27. Key discussion topics included making the system easier to access and use for families, supporting efforts to make care more affordable, reducing barriers and burdens for providers, preventing disruption of eligibility activities, promoting continuity of care, increasing reimbursement rates and using more efficient payment methods, and considering higher income eligibility limits. The discussions also covered the cost of child care, supporting the workforce, including school-age children and their needs, additional registration fee allowance, and Links to Quality differential rates.

The FFY 2025-2027 CCDF State Plan for Kansas outlines the state's approach to administering the Child Care and Development Fund program. It details CCDF program administration, child and family eligibility, enrollment, continuity of care, child care affordability, parental choice, equal access, payment rates, payment practices, health and safety standards, support for a skilled child care workforce, quality improvement activities, coordination with partners, family outreach, consumer education, and program integrity and accountability.