September 22, 2025
TOPEKA, Kan. (KCTV) – While state leaders in Kansas continue to claim a recent report highlights improvements it has made in the foster care system, several organizations say it still needs more work.
The Kansas Department for Children and Families announced on Monday, Sept. 22, that a report from the Center for the Study of Social Policy claims that most children in the state’s foster care system are in stable placements.
The report, which was called for in the McIntyre class action lawsuit, also indicated that children in foster care do have their mental and behavioral health needs met.
“The report should be a wake-up call for anyone who cares about the well-being of children in Kansas. The number of children who lacked a placement in 2024 is almost double the number from 2023 and the highest since we started tracking the data,” said Leecia Welch, Deputy Legal Director, Children’s Rights. “ Each of these data points reflects a child whose life is in limbo — not knowing where she will sleep that night, missing school, and disconnected from family and friends.”