Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has taken a step to adjust foster care funding.
Governor Kelly recently signed an executive order to halt the state’s longstanding process of using some federal funds — aimed at foster youths qualifying for a range of benefits — for covering costs of foster care services instead. Kelly used guidance from the Center for the Rights of Abused Children for her executive order.
CRAC says 10-20 percent of foster children currently qualify for social security, disability or veteran survivor benefits. It also says Kansas used about $9 million per year of these funds to offset foster care costs.
The governor’s decision triggers a new process for Kansas Department for Children and Families, including an eligibility screening/application process on behalf of children in state care. If DCF is serving as the fiduciary, it will put benefits in trusts or savings accounts and children will then have access to the money for additional items like extracurricular activities. Also:
*DCF will work to identify adults wanting to manage funds for children under age 18.
*DCF will also provide annual reports for transparency.
*DCF will provide financial literacy training opportunities to benefit foster children and their guardians
The governor’s action is the first of its kind in the country.
