Topeka—Kansas Children’s Service League (KCSL) and Lutheran Social Service of Kansas and Oklahoma (LSS) have reached a new contract agreement to provide services for children in the state’s custody awaiting adoption. KCSL has held the statewide adoption contract since July 1. Prior to that date, LSS held the contract for four years.

Under their new subcontract with KCSL, LSS will continue to provide special needs adoptions for 200 children in Wichita and 140 children in Topeka. KCSL and its other subcontracting partners will provide complete adoption services for all other children covered by the state’s adoption contract.

"KCSL and LSS are two well-respected organizations with a great deal of expertise in providing services to children and families. They have an outstanding network of subcontracting partners to connect children to loving families. SRS is delighted that they have reached an agreement to provide adoption services," said SRS Secretary Janet Schalansky. "Children and families, foster parents, social workers, and other social service providers can be assured that the adoption network is stable and moving forward."

The two organizations are working closely together along with Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS) officials to make this transition, to ensure the safety of children and the stability of the adoption network in Kansas.

"We are pleased we were able to come to an agreement with Lutheran Social Services," said Chief Executive Officer Bob Hartman. "We have a long-standing relationship with LSS and look forward to continuing that partnership to ensure that our children’s needs are well served. Their welfare and security continue to be our top priority."

In a related development, LSS made final payments to subcontractors for debt incurred prior to July 1 as proposed in a meeting with creditors on July 17. Checks were mailed today to cover $0.74 for every dollar owed by LSS to all their subcontracting service providers in the network.

"The successful completion of this workout plan ensures that LSS will continue its mission of providing social services to children, families, and communities," said LSS Chief Executive Officer Bernice Karstensen. "I am confident that the public-private partnership will continue to improve and that means great things for children."

Adoption services in Kansas have significantly improved during the public/private partnership over the last four years. Placement of children in adoptive homes has increased 81 percent over the last four years, reaching a high of more than 560 adoptions in fiscal year 2000.

Currently, there are more than 1400 children in the Kansas adoption network. Adoptive families are needed for more than 700 of those children. For more information on adoption, please call 1-888-642-0020.

Page Last Updated: May 29, 2001