TOPEKA — The Kansas Department for Children and Families is adding oversight for one of its two private foster care contractors.
DCF Secretary Gina Meier-Hummel has ordered walk-throughs of KVC offices with ongoing and unspecified concerns. KVC oversees foster care in Coffey, Osage and Wabaunsee counties in the KVOE listening area, with the nearest offices in Ottawa and Topeka.
A spokesperson for KVC says the agency is working to place children in foster homes and other placements as opposed to keeping them overnight in offices — a concern that caused waves when it was first reported last fall. According to the Wichita Eagle, KVC says it has hired more youth care specialists, added security officers and extended hours for some personnel.
DCF, meanwhile, says both KVC and St. Francis Community Services, which has the contract for Lyon, Chase, Greenwood and Morris counties, have had issues placing children with extreme needs and the state will work with both contractors to reduce the time kids spend in offices.
DCF says the walk-throughs are not part of any official investigation.
