The Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS) has asked private companies and agencies to respond to a Request For Proposal for a comprehensive system of out-of-home care for all children placed in state custody by the courts.

The RFP for foster and group care continues an effort by SRS to privatize child welfare programs in Kansas. Contracts to provide family preservation services and adoption services have already been awarded; a privatized family preservation program began July 1. An adoption services contract was awarded for implementation Oct. 1.

With this request, SRS is asking private companies to design and provide foster and group care for all children placed in state custody by the courts. The contract would begin February 1, 1997.

The contractor would also be expected to provide reintegration services with the child and his or her family. When family reintegration is not possible, the contractor is expected to develop a plan of permanency for the child, which could involve termination of parental rights and adoption or independent living.

Children are placed in SRS custody by the courts for a variety of reasons, with abuse and neglect the most common. In March, there were 4,789 children in out-of-home care and SRS custody, according to the RFP.

Many of the services described in the RFP are currently carried out by SRS staff across the state. But the agency is looking to form a new partnership with the private sector.

Through contracting with the private sector, we hope to be better able to manage limited resources while at the same time assure that children's need are met," said SRS Secretary Rochelle Chronister.

Our goal is to allow children in out-of-home placement to experience a minimal number of placements within close proximity to their homes," she said. This will enable these children to achieve reintegration with their families or to achieve permanency in their lives in the shortest time possible."

Another reason the agency has chosen to look toward privatization of foster and group care is historical.

Based on our positive historical experience in purchasing foster/group care services from Kansas licensed child placing agencies and residential providers, SRS concludes that many of the services SRS currently provides directly can effectively and efficiently be provided by the private sector," according to the RFP.

The RFP further describes a seamless" delivery of services to children and their families from placement to permanency."

SRS envisions this system of care to be rooted in the underlying value of focusing on individual children and their families. Services shall

be provided in the most normalized environment possible which maintains a close working relationship with families. The partnership with families should be strengths-based, culturally-competent and offer unconditional care based on a no-reject, no-eject philosophy."

Teresa Markowitz, commissioner of Children and Family Services, said the SRS role under the privatized system of child welfare will be one of oversight. SRS will receive the initial referral and if courts give custody of the child to the state, the agency will determine if out-of-home placement is necessary. If out-of-home placement is necessary, a contact will be made to the contractor for placement.

Markowitz said SRS will have a single social worker assigned to follow a child's case from the initial assessment by the agency through closure.

We will not be so involved in the day-to-day work with children and families, but will be interested in outcomes," she said. We will maintain a role as 'champion' for children and families."

Proposals for foster/group care will be accepted for five different regions of the state, although a contractor can submit a proposal for more than one region. A pre-bid conference will be held August 6th from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. at SRS Staff Development, 300 SW Oakley. Proposals from private companies are due August 30.

Page Last Updated: May 29, 2001