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Up To Date

Kansas' foster care program is improving, but kids still sleep in offices

By Steve Kraske,
Elizabeth Ruiz
Published September 29, 2022 at 4:47 PM CDT
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The Kansas foster care system has seen a 17% reduction in children in the states care, according to Secretary Laura Howard, who said the state has made significant progress placing children in more stable situations.
Carlos Moreno
/
KCUR 89.3
The Kansas foster care system has seen a 17% reduction in the number of children in the state's care, according to Secretary Laura Howard, who added the state has made significant progress placing children in more stable situations.

Care for children in Kansas' foster care system has been scrutinized for years. Department for Children and Families Secretary Laura Howard says the state is making progress improving the system.

A class action lawsuit, high employee turnover, missing children and children sleeping in offices are among the many problems plaguing Kansas' foster care program.

An independent assessment of the troubled department shows improvements are being made, but children continue to stay overnight in child welfare offices.

Head of the Kansas Department for Children and Families, Laura Howard, tells Up to Date what's being done to improve stability for children in the state's care.

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Up To Date PodcastKansasKansas Department for Children and Familiesfoster carechildrenLaura Howard
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Steve Kraske
When I host Up To Date each morning at 9, my aim is to engage the community in conversations about the Kansas City area’s challenges, hopes and opportunities. I try to ask the questions that listeners want answered about the day’s most pressing issues and provide a place for residents to engage directly with newsmakers. Reach me at steve@kcur.org or on Twitter @stevekraske.
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Elizabeth Ruiz
When you listen to Up To Date, I want you to understand decisions being made in the city, feel inspired by community members, and empathize with people who've had different experiences. As an Up To Date producer, I connect you to the news through conversations with community members and elected officials. Contact me at elizabeth@kcur.org or on Twitter at @er_bentley_ruiz.
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