Welcome to the quarterly newsletter for TFI’s Kansas services and programs!
INSIDE:
We believe keeping our community informed of what is happening in Kansas is important. In this issue, you will find the following:
- Program Highlights – stay up to date on some of TFI’s initiatives in Kansas.
- By the Numbers – learn how Kansas is working to meet outcomes and goals.
Kansas Permanency
Child Safety:
Ensuring childhood safety is our top priority. TFI works hard every day to ensure the safety of the youth we serve. TFI’s statewide victimization rate in 2024 was 2.45, based on confirmed abuse and neglect cases per 100,000 care days. This is significantly lower than the statewide average of 3.14. We’re committed to creating a safe environment for all children we serve. (DCF Reports, Jan. 1, 2024 – Dec. 31, 2024)
Placement Stability:
TFI has notably fewer placement moves compared to the statewide average, with a 4.77 placement move rate across both regions, whereas the statewide average move rate is 7.2. Additionally, TFI has the lowest number of incidents of youth without placement at the end of the year. Fewer placements mean greater stability and better outcomes for the youth we serve. (ROM Report, Jan. 1, 2024 – Dec. 31. 2024)
Mental Health Access:
TFI conducts mental health screenings for youth to help prevent issues and
ensure they receive the care needed. In 2024, an average of 96.5% of the
youth in Area 4 had a timely initial mental health screen within 30 days
of entering care. In Area 8, an average of 97% of youth had a timely
mental health screen. (DCF Reports, Jan. 1, 2024 – Dec. 31. 2024)
Timely Permanency:
We are committed to ensuring youth reach permanency as quickly and safely as possible. In 2024, TFI was a statewide leader in having youth returning home within 12 months of entering care with an average of 35.3 percent of youth achieving timely permanency within 12 months. (ROM Federal Permanency Reports, Jan. 1, 2024 – Dec. 31. 2024)
Kansas Permanency Making a Difference…
In June 2023, the Winfield office received a new referral from Greenwood County. The team met with Drew, a confused 10-year-old boy who was living with a man he called “dad” and his stepmother. After investigation, the team found out that neither the man nor the woman was the child’s biological parents. When the boy was born, his biological mother gave him to the man called “dad” thereby leaving him to care for Drew since he was 8 months old. Years later, “dad” revealed to Drew that he wasn’t his biological father.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, Drew was placed in the care of TFI. Both the rights of his biological mother and the man he believed to be his dad were terminated.
After receiving a tip about Drew’s biological father’s whereabouts, the court notified him, and he agreed to a paternity test in April 2024. The team anxiously awaited the results, which confirmed in May 2024 that he was Drew’s biological father.
Dean, the biological father, expressed his readiness to be involved in the case. Together with TFI, Dean worked to establish parental rights with his son. When
TFI staff shared the news with Drew, he was overjoyed and exclaimed, “I found my dad!”
In June, the judge granted discretion over visitation arrangements and the team moved forward with short visits, then monitored visits and eventually overnight visits. Drew was ecstatic and asked, “So when can I move in with my dad?”
In August 2024, the team requested that the child be allowed to move in with his father permanently. This story exemplifies how putting a child’s needs first can lead to amazing and unexpected outcomes!
Family Preservation
On February 27, Family Preservation supervisors spent the day in Garden City training program staff on safety and risk, sharing information on safety planning and the Kansas Practice Model utilized by CPS in Kansas.
SOUL Family Making a Difference…
SOUL Family is a new youth-centered legal permanency option for young people in Kansas, ages 16 and older, designed to support strong, lifelong relationships with a network of caring adults. In 2024, TFI had four youths achieve permanency through SOUL. (TFI Reports, Jan. 1, 2024 – Dec. 31. 2024)
Kansas Permanency Kinship Numbers
TFI is a leader in providing safe relative and kinship placements. There has been a significant increase in the number of children placed with a relative or kinship provider. In FY24, 60.5% of initial placements were in relative or kinship homes from July 2024 to December 2024.
