Tuesday, April 30, 2002 - Improvements Evident in Child Welfare System - SRS and Children's Rights to End Lawsuit

Topeka---Governor Graves announced today that significant improvements to the child welfare system in Kansas will allow the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS) to complete the Foster Care Settlement Agreement with Children's Rights Inc. (CRI), a child advocacy organization, on June 30, 2002.

“This is another important step as we validate the improvements made in our social services for children,” said Governor Bill Graves. “This settlement is significant because it highlights the major changes we’ve made in Kansas that have resulted in better care and more accountability for children and families.”

The 1993 agreement stemmed from a lawsuit filed against SRS in 1989. Under the agreement, SRS pledged to improve the delivery of child welfare services statewide. State auditors and Legislative Post Audit have been required to review and document SRS' progress twice a year as part of a court-ordered monitoring process.

Kansas is the first state to successfully complete and exit a statewide foster care settlement agreement. Five other states are still operating under a child welfare settlement agreement with CRI.

Note: A description of the settlement and background materials are attached.