Kansas child welfare system is safe

This week, the Kansas Department for Children and Families had the opportunity to share with the public the tremendous safety record in the child welfare system. Kansas can proudly say that we’re second in the nation when it comes to protecting children from abuse and neglect. This information was shared at a Legislative Post Audit committee meeting in Topeka Wednesday, where the LPA released its own audit of the foster care system.

The LPA audit suggests that some of DCF’s processes are inadequate within the child welfare system. I want to assure the public that although the LPA report criticizes these processes, it does not measure safety outcomes and never demonstrates the system is unsafe. More importantly, the Child and Family Service Review conducted by the federal government shows Kansas leads the way in keeping kids safe.

DCF appreciates the work of LPA staff members who had limited time to delve into such a complex system that takes extensive experience and knowledge to fully understand. And we did receive some helpful insight that will allow us to improve in some areas as we serve the vulnerable families of Kansas.

However, we know the federal findings regarding safety are based on years of review, evaluations and input from a wide range of stakeholders. And the thorough and valid reviews are conducted by individuals whose exclusive focus is to ensure superior child welfare service delivery and compliance with federal regulations.

We are often forced to defend the agency with two hands tied behind our back, because laws prevent us from disclosing the full details of the cases for which we are blamed. If the public knew all there is to know, the blame would justly fall on the shoulders of those who inflict harm on innocent children.

Our workers’ morale is low because they don’t have support from the public. They face heavy caseloads and never-ending scrutiny, but they keep coming back because they know, as I know, their work is important. It’s lifesaving. They are heroes. And our safety record makes that clear.

This audit, although insightful, does not provide a complete picture of the child welfare system in Kansas. It’s an indictment of the process, not the outcomes. And we will continue every day to improve the process, even as Kansas children benefit from a safe child welfare system.

This story was originally published July 28, 2016 at 12:01 AM with the headline "Kansas child welfare system is safe."