 |
|||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Adoption Services Child Abuse and Neglect Registry Child Protective Service Child Welfare Handbook of ServicesFoster Care Services Program Description Independent Living Program Description Kansas Statutes Services to Preserve Families
When a child comes into state custody, Social & Rehabilitation Services (SRS) and their Child Welfare Community-based service providers (CWCBS) work with the child and family to resolve issues so the child can return home. When it is not possible to reunite a child with the family, parental rights may be legally terminated or relinquished and the child is then available for adoption. Maintaining and strengthening the child's connection to their relatives, culture and community is essential. Concurrent case planning ensures that children move quickly to an alternative permanency goal if reunification is not possible. Throughout the life of the case relatives and non related kin are given first consideration as placement resources for the child(ren) so that if the child becomes free for adoption they are in a position to adopt the child(ren). Some children are placed in other kinds of homes when a relative or non related kin is unavailable or unable to provide care for them. Most children available for adoption through SRS have suffered abuse and/or neglect, and have significant medical, emotional, and developmental needs. Kansas Children Service League (KCSL) is the adoption CWCBS provider and they are responsible for recruiting families for children who do not have another resource for adoption. KCSL works with the Reintegration CWCBS providers to coordinate services to the child and family once an adoptive family is identified. KCSL serves the entire state of Kansas. If you are interested in adopting, you can contact them at www.cominghomekansas.org or call 1-877-530-5275. More helpful information concerning adoption can be found at:
An adoption assistance is available to help adoptive families meet the special needs of the children they adopt. SRS staff are responsible for identifying children who have special needs that present financial barriers to adoption. Assistance can include services for children who have significant medical, emotional, or developmental needs. It may include a special one-time payment to provide for legal fees or an ongoing monthly financial subsidy. The type and amount of subsidy is negotiated with the prospective adoptive parents. Consideration is given to the specific needs of the child, income, and available resources. Subsidy often is used for children who have experienced abuse or neglect, or have ongoing pre-existing needs that are not covered by family health insurance. SRS conducts adoption searches for adoptees and birth parents for private and SRS adoptions that were finalized in the State of Kansas. The adoptee must be 18 years of age or older before a search can be requested. Searches for birth siblings are only conducted if the adoptee and birth siblings had an established relationship prior to being adopted and birth sibling is currently 18 years old or older. Searches are not conducted for extended family members such as grandparents, aunts, etc; however, extended family members may send SRS a letter to be placed in the adoptee's file. Available forms below:
Please contact Tina Anthony with any questions. Child Abuse and Neglect Registry Individuals listed on the Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry have been indentified by SRS as posing a danger to children. Kansas law prohibits any person listed in the Child Abuse and Neglect Registry from working, residing, or volunteering in a child care home or facility. To request a person's name be searched on the Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry, their written permission is required using the Registry Release Form. A $10.00 fee may apply for each request.
When a report of abuse or neglect is made to SRS, an Initial
Assessment is completed to determine if SRS should become involved.
If the report meets the criteria for SRS involvement, it is
investigated by a social worker or special investigator. Law
enforcement may also investigate if a social worker is not available
or a joint investigation is warranted. If it is determined that a
child's safety is at risk, then a recommendation is made by SRS or
law enforcement to the court regarding the necessary action that
should be taken. The court is ultimately responsible for the
decision to remove a child from the home. This may require placing
the child in foster care or with a relative. When making a
recommendation to remove a child, SRS must weigh the emotional harm
of being removed from the home, with the likelihood of harm if the
child remains in the home. Report Child Abuse and Neglect Click on the booklet below that is intended to help by providing you with a guide to reporting abuse or neglect in Kansas. It suggests guidelines for:
If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected in Kansas, please contact the Kansas Protection Report Center (PRC) at: Cell phone users please call: 785-296-0044 If calling in Kansas but outside of Topeka: 800-922-5330 If calling in Topeka or outside of Kansas: (785) 296-2561 or 296-0044 Telephone lines at the Protection Report Center are staffed 24 hours a day/7 days a week. Every call is taken seriously and every effort will be made to protect your identity. In the event of an emergency contact your local law enforcement or call 911. Foster care services are provided to children and families when the court has found the child to be in need of care and the parents are not able to meet the safety and care needs of the child. Most children who require foster care have been abused or neglected and have significant developmental, physical, and emotional needs, which require an array of services and care options. However, some children who are not abused or neglected may be placed in foster care for reasons such as out-of-control behavior, truancy, overwhelmed parents, and running away from home. Needs can range from placement with a relative to inpatient psychiatric care. Family foster homes are the most frequently used placement resources, but some children require more structured settings, such as group home or a residential center. Our partners in service delivery are CWCBS providers who are responsible for providing foster care services including case planning, placement, life skills and foster parent recruitment and training. SRS social workers are responsible for monitoring the safety of the children and monitoring the progress made toward permanency. Independent Living Program provides services and supports to youth for a successful transition to self-sufficiency. Eligible youth may receive services for completion of secondary and post secondary education, training programs, room and board assistance, life skills, leadership opportunities and free medical services through the Medical Card Extension Program. Independent Living Services are provided by SRS local offices or State Independent Living Coordinator. Go to Provider Policy Manual (PPM) You can find Kansas Statutes on the Kansas Legislative Site located at: SRS Children and Family Services offers a variety of prevention programs to support and maintain families, reduce the number of children placed in the custody of the Secretary of SRS:
|
