Topeka, Kan.--New foster care contracts have been signed by the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services and the three foster care contractors, according to SRS Secretary Rochelle Chronister.

"As of today, we have signed contracts with all three foster care contractors," Mrs. Chronister said. "Kansas Children's Service League and Kaw Valley Center Inc. are signed through June 30, 1999; United Methodist Youthville is signed through February 28, 1999."

Mrs. Chronister said that Youthville signed their contract for one month to allow a closer review of their fiscal and program policies. Neither SRS nor the Youthville board of directors was comfortable with the direction they were moving in; both agreed a closer review was needed. SRS -- at Youthville's invitation -- is sending a team of fiscal and program analysts to help them conduct a comprehensive assessment of their policies, practices and fiscal management relating to their execution of the foster care contract.

"We are pleased to sign contracts through the end of this fiscal year with two of our partners, and are looking forward to working with United Methodist Youthville over the next month and beyond," Mrs. Chronister said. "Collectively, we are committed to safety and permanency for Kansas children, embracing a network of community providers, and ensuring that the child welfare system can be sustained -- both from a program and a fiscal perspective."

Kaw Valley, based in Kansas City, Kan., will continue providing a comprehensive foster care system for children placed in state custody in eastern and southeastern Kansas, including Kansas City, Lawrence, Emporia, Olathe and Chanute. The Kansas Children's Service League, based in Wichita, will continue providing foster care services in central Kansas, including Topeka, Salina and Manhattan. United Methodist Youthville, Inc., Newton, will continue providing foster care services in the Wichita and Hutchinson areas, along with Garden City, Hays and western Kansas.

Deputy Commissioner of SRS' Children and Family Services Commission, Marilyn Jacobson said the reason for shortened contracts was to align the contracts with the state fiscal year. "Since February 1997, when we negotiated and signed the first contracts, the contract periods didn't line up with the state fiscal year, which runs from July 1 to June 30. Now," she said, "it will be much easier for us to track and report the costs of child welfare services."

Case rates negotiated for each child in the shortened contracts are: Kaw Valley - $13,640; KCSL - $14,080; UMY - $14,347. Each contract also includes a $1,500 per child one-time payment to cover risk share provisions negotiated in earlier contracts.

Page Last Updated: May 29, 2001