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FOSTER CARE OVERVIEW I

November 2015

NUMBER OF CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE

• There are two numbers that influence the total number of children in out-of-home placement- the number of those entering the system (removals) and the number of those exiting the system (exits) to permanency: reintegration, adoption, emancipation, custodianship/guardianship, or transfer (to KDOC-JS or tribal authority). In order to see a decrease, or no increase, in the total number of children in foster care, the number of exits must equal or exceed the number of entries.

• The average number of children entering foster case in a given month has held steady for the past two fiscal years:

• However, over the past four years, the average number of those exiting foster care on a given month has not kept pace with the number of those entering, therefore, the increase in the number of chi ldren in foster care.

• In September 2015, 377 children were removed from their homes. During the same month, 278 children exited foster care.

• The most frequent abuse/neglect reason or removal into foster care is physical neglect. • Approximately 32 percent of children are placed with a relative, 58 percent are in foster homes, 5

percent are in a group home setting. • More than 57 percent of children in foster care will be reintegrated with their family. • There are currently 1,056 children awaiting adoption (September 2015). These are children who

have had parental rights terminated on both parents, have a permanency goal of adoption and are not yet in a pre-adoptive home placement. (33 percent).

• Children ages 1 to 3 comprise the largest age group of children in out-of-home placement (20.7 percent). The median age of a child in foster care is eight.

• The average length of stay in foster care for those who are reintegrated is nine months; for those adopted, 33 months. This has held steady for the past four years.

• During fiscal year 2015, 765 adoptions were finalized. 54 percent of children have a foster parent as an adoptive resource. The adoption finalization number is a 99 adoptions increase over the previous fiscal year ..

Special Committee on Foster Care Adequacy November 17, 20 15 Attachment 18

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ROLESINTHEFOSTERCARESYSTEM • The Kansas Department for Children and Families does not remove children from their homes.

DCF makes a recommendation to the court which issues the order for removal. • It's is always DCF's goal to keep children in their homes, with their families, when that is a safe

option. DCF works to minimize trauma on children. • DCF is one entity within the State's child welfare system. Children remain in foster care due to

multiple reasons. DCF strives to work expeditiously to help them achieve permanency. • Per statute, law enforcement shall take a child into police protective custody (PPC) if the officer

reasonably believes child will be harmed if not immediately removed from residence where child is found; has probable cause to believe child is a missing person; or reasonably believes child is a victim of HT. Hearing is held no later than 72 hours after child is taken into PPC. The child is not in DCF custody at this time.

• The county or distiict prosecuting attorney files the petition alleging child is a child in need of care (CINC).

• The judge of the appropriate court controls the process pursuant to the CINC Code. The judge presiding over the case follows the CINC Code and makes decisions regarding the child including, but not limited to, custody and placement and accepts recommendations of DCF and the Child Welfare Case Manager Provider (CWCMP) once the child is in foster care.

• DCF is responsible for intake and assessment related to allegations of child abuse and/or neglect. If the judge places the child into custody of the Secretary of DCF, the child comes into foster care.

• DCF contracts with KVC and St. Francis Community Services to provide Family Preservation, Reintegration and Adoption services on its behalf.

• A Guardian ad Litem (GAL) represents the child in court in CINC action and is to be guided by the best interests of the child.

• Parents' attorneys are appointed to represent the parents in court in the CINC action. • A Court Service Officer (CSO) may not work with CINC cases in every court, but they do work with

CINC actions in some courts. They are not available in every judicial district statewide. • A Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) is a trained volunteer who works with CINC cases,

but they are not available in every court statewide.

THE FUTURE OF FOSTER CARE IN KANSAS • DCF has worked with the National Resource Center for Diligent Recruitment and held diligent

recruitment meetings with community partners, stakeholders and others to develop a plan to increase the pool of quality foster homes in Kansas.

• DCF is also working to retain and recruit social workers throughout the state. DCF is looking at increasing salaries, and continued improvement of staff's technology-smartphones and tablets, so they can quickly access help if they are in a dangerous situationo

o Effective July 1, 2015, DCF acquired foster care home licensing from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. This was done in an effort to better monitor the entire foster care system as we serve children in need of care, their families and foster parents.

• In 2014, DCF hired a Foster Parent and Youth Ombudsman. She spends her time researching concerns of foster parents and serving as a liaison between our agency, the contractors and the families.

o She's a licensed social worker and has a passion for ensuring that children and foster parents are treated fairly and quickly.

• DCF will continue work to increase permanency for older youth and sibling groups. • DCF is working to identify successful connections for youth who are aging out of care (mentors).

2 1P age

CHILD WELFARE FACTSHEET Nov. 2015

Abuse/Neglect Non Abuse/Neglect

Physical Abuse 16% Parental Drug Abuse 11 %

Physical Neglect 15% Parental Meth Use 5%

Lack of Child's Behavior Problem 6%

Supervision 10% Caretakers Inability to Cope 7%

Emotional Abuse 7% Incarceration of Parents 4%

Sexual Abuse 4% Inadequate Housing 2%

Runaway 2% Abandonment 4%

Not Attending School 2% Medical Neglect 2% Adult Alcohol Abuse 1%

Foster Care Statistics

Family Preservation Statistics In FY2015, 2,597 families received in-home family preservation services. Of this number, the presenting situations in the family included:

Non abuse/neglect 40.6%

Physical abuse 20.6%

Physical neglect 10.1%

Other maltreatment 28.7%

As of June 2015, nearly 82.4 percent of families referred for family preservation services did not have a child placed outside of the home into foster care during a one-year referral period.

As of June 2015, more than 99 percent of fam ilies did not experience substantiated abuse or neglect during the first 90 days of family preservation participation.

As of June 2015, more than 96 percent of families did not experience substantiated abuse or neg lect between the time of referral and one year.

June 2015

Family Foster Home 3,701

Relative 2, 157 Group

Residential 330

Pre-adoptive 212 Independent

L1ving 36

Runaway 59

As of September 2015, there were 6,591 children in foster care in Kansas. Of all the counties, Sedgwick has the most children in out of home placement, 939.

Length of Stay in Foster Care As of September 2015, the average length of stay in foster care for those adopted is 33 months, 39 months for those who age out, and nine months for those who are reunited with their families.

Foster Parents Foster parents play a vital role in the child welfare process. Kansas currently has 2,826 licensed foster

homes.

In 2015, the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) created the position of Foster Parent and Youth Ombudsman to help foster parents navigate the child welfare process and

~!:lltt.th.. to ensure their voices are heard when child placement decisions are made. The Foster

Srrong Families Make a Srrong Kansas

Parent and Youth Ombudsman can be reached at 1-844-279-2306 or by email at fosterparent@dcf.ks.gov.

As of July 1, 2015, foster homes are licensed through the Kansas Department for Children and Families.

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PERCENT TOTAL

Adoption 33.23% 2,080

Custodianship/ 2.26% 142

Guardianship

OPPLA 6.79% 425

Maintain in Family 0.55% 34

Pending Goal 0.03% 2

Reunification 57.14% 3,576

Child Protective Services Process When a report of child abuse or neglect is made, DCF completes an initial assessment.

If the report meets the criteria for agency involvement, the case is assigned to DCF staff for investigation and assessment. DCF may also investigate jointly with law enforcement.

If it is determined that a child is unsafe, then a recommendation is made by DCF or law enforcement to the court regarding what action should be taken.

The court determines whether a child should be removed from a home.

The child may be placed in foster care or in the care of a relative. DCF must weigh the emotional harm to the ch ild of removal against the likelihood of harm that the child could endure if he/she remains in the home.

In cases of non-abuse or neglect, such as lack of

Privatization Since 1996, Kansas has been one of only a few states to privatize the majority of their child welfare services. This has proven to be an effective, successful way to serve children and families, while demonstrating a model of collaboration between private business and state government.

On July 1, 2013, foster care, adopton and reintegration services contracts were awarded to the following:

DCF East and Kansas City Regions: KVC Behavioral HealthCare, Inc. DCF West and Wichita Regions: St. Francis Community Services

Kansas Child Welfare Goals: Help struggling families at the first sign of trouble , while children can safely be kept in the home, in an effort to reduce the number of children placed in out-of-home care Provide a more stable environment for children in out-of-home care by avoiding multiple transfers of custody and school placement Provide permanency for children in a shorter time period, whether through reintegration back into their home or, if needed, adoption

proper parental control, runaways or truancy, families may be referred to family preservation services, allowing the child to remain in the home. DCF will always support keeping a child with his/her family when that is a safe option.

Substantiated vs. Unsubstantiated After DCF's investigation is completed, the agency makes a finding regarding the allegations. The purpose of the find ing is to determine if the report of abuse and or neglect is valid. An unsubstantiated finding may still result in removal.

An "unsubstantiated" finding means the facts and circumstances do not provide clear and convincing evidence to meet the K.S.A. or K.A.R. definition of abuse or neglect. A "substantiated" finding means the facts or circumstances provide clear and convincing evidence to conclude the alleged perpetrator's actions or inactions meet the K.S.A. or K.A.R. definition of abuse or neglect and, therefore, the perpetrator should not be permitted to work, reside or regularly volunteer in a child care facility regulated by DCF licensing division.

Parents Rights: • To refuse to talk with DCF

To know what was reported To request DCF services To know the DCF finding To appeal a substantiated finding

Report Child Abuse or Neglect by calling 1·800-922-5330