The Kansas Department of Children and Families continues to shed light on a recent investigation launched into allegations against St. Francis Ministries.
One of the areas focused on by the investigation is the alleged instances of document falsification involving an employee of SFM. The falsification pertained to an employee who documented numerous visits to foster families that, in fact, never took place.
The allegations were brought to the attention of DCF Secretary Laura Howard in mid-November at which time she says, via a news release, “I instructed my deputy secretary to immediately begin an investigation.”
According to the same release, SFM was already aware of the allegations upon engaging with DCF. An internal inquiry had already been launched by SFM’s Salina office during which time supervisors contacted foster care providers to confirm visits were being conducted as required.
The investigation revealed that at least one employee did not visit 28 children that were living with 11 different foster care providers. According to the DCF release, that employee had documented 165 contacts that did not actually take place between February and October of this year. The worker has since been fired from SFM.
DCF is still in the process of working with SFM to thoroughly review all case files to locate any other instances of falsification. At this time, no additional instances have been brought to light.
DCF is also currently looking into allegations of financial mismanagement within the agency. Secretary Howard has insisted that SFM provide DCF with full access to all of its “internal reports and investigation findings pertaining to the expenditure of any monies received by SFM pursuant to its grant with DCF and SFM’s financial stability.”
The news release ended with a comment from Secretary Howard who says, “We know SFM to be good partners and we look forward to full transparency as it relates to both their fiscal affairs and documentation issues.”
SFM issued a prepared statement following requests for comment from KVOE News which is available below.
“The falsification of records is absolutely unacceptable, and Saint Francis Ministries is committed to taking quick, decisive action any time we learn of such a situation,” said William Clark, interim CEO. “We are working closely with the Kansas Department for Children and Families to evaluate processes and take proactive steps to ensure such a situation doesn’t occur or, if it does, that we discover it and act quickly.” Any employee found to have falsified records is immediately terminated. “We appreciate the support of DCF in improving the oversight process, and we will continue to adjust our internal systems as necessary,” Clark said. “Saint Francis is focused on continual improvement in every aspect of our work.”
