January 26, 2006 - KANSAS RECEIVES AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN CHILD WELFARE

Topeka - Representatives of the Child Welfare League of America today presented Governor Kathleen Sebelius with the CWLA Brighter Futures Award. The award recognizes Kansas for its innovation and dedication in the child welfare arena.“This award is a symbol of the progress made in providing better care for children in desperate need of help,”said Governor Sebelius. “Kansas has been able to make great strides in how we help children who have been abused or neglected.”

Kansas began this journey toward excellence in child welfare when it made the decision to enter into performance based contracts with child welfare agencies around the state. This public private partnership has enabled the state to continually raise the bar on service delivery for children and families.

• Ten years ago children waited for weeks in emergency shelters for placements.

• From July to October last year, SRS referred 851 children for out of home care to the           Child Welfare Community Based Service Providers who placed them within 4 hours.

• Ten years ago, over 65% of children were placed in residential facilities and group            homes. Today, more than 90% of our children are in a family-like setting.

• In 1996, 290 children were adopted. In 2005, Kansas had 623 finalized adoptions.

“Kansas could not have accomplished all we have without the dedication of SRS staff throughout the state and without the help of our primary child welfare contractors and their subcontractors,” said SRS Secretary Gary Daniels.” Kansas is now recognized as a national leader in child welfare but we realize there is still work to do to make sure all Kansas kids are protected.”