The privatization of services for children and families in Kansas has greatly expanded the role and the responsibility of several not-for-profit private agencies across the state.

But that shift away from state government and toward local agencies does not end there. With the shift from state government-run programs comes a shift to local control. And local responsibility.

To date, two formerly state-run programs, family preservation and adoption, have been privatized. By February, 1997, another larger program, foster care, will be contracted out to the private sector.

To help explain the ramifications involved in this shift, a series of forums on the privatization of child welfare have been scheduled during November in various Kansas communities. The community forums will feature the executive directors of the not-for profit agencies now under contract with the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services to provide child welfare services previously provided by the state. (A list of the forum location, dates and times is attached.)

The agency heads, along with Teresa Markowitz, commissioner of Children and Family Services for SRS, will talk about the reasons behind privatization and their vision for the future. They will also challenge communities to get involved in this reform movement and take responsibility for the children and families who live close by.

"Our private sector partners and their subcontractors are Kansas agencies that are part of local communities," Markowitz said. They welcome and need local involvement as we commit ourselves to strengthening children and families in Kansas communities."

Bob Hartman, executive director of the Kansas Children's Service League, the not-for-profit agency which won the contract to take over family preservation services in the Topeka, Salina, and Manhattan SRS areas, said privatization means they have greatly expanded services and responsibilities to both clients and communities.

This is a real opportunity to broaden our connections with local organizations in the community," he said.

Because the Kansas Children's Service League, like other contracting agencies providing child welfare services, has a local advisory council, a volunteer board of directors from the community, and volunteers providing services, a connection to the community is already in place, Hartman said.

This connection needs to be built upon, he said.

According to Markowitz and the CEOs of the not-for-profit private

agencies, building on these community connections, will be key to the

success of privatized children and family services.

The burden now has shifted," Markowitz said. In the past, it has been so easy to look at the state as responsible. This is a huge shift in authority. Local communities now have greater autonomy. People have asked for change, now they are being asked to help make it work."

Changing from delivery of child welfare services from a state agency to the private sector must be built upon partnerships. The partnerships include one between the state and federal governments and one between the state and private agencies within Kansas communities.

With the former, federal and state funding have been combined to provide a single per child/family rate being paid to contractors. The single rate, often called a case rate, is paid out at prescribed times and takes the place of traditional per service unit cost. This method of funding eliminates traditional barriers and restrictions presented by multiple funding sources.

The partnership between private agencies and the state involves the agencies working together for the good of families and children. SRS will maintain the responsibility of setting service standards and outcome measures. As the child welfare agency, SRS will continue to assist Kansas courts in determining custody and out-of-home placement.

More players mean a more public environment in the child service system," she said. There will be more people watching and impacted. And it will be done without violating the privacy of children and families."

Page Last Updated: May 29, 2001