Kansas and Missouri Child Welfare Trade Key Leaders
By
Grey Endres MSW LCSW LSCSW
It has become all too common to see stories or articles about the failing child welfare systems in Kansas and Missouri. It seems that every few weeks or so there is a story that attacks either state or both, regarding their child welfare policies and procedures. Current policies and procedures in Kansas and Missouri are hurting the children they are mandated to protect. When a child enters into the child welfare system, they are not aware that that system is going to further harm them nor do they have a voice concerning their care. As it is the default position of child welfare that they are the experts of the children and families they serve rather than the children themselves.
This past year has not been kind to child welfare services in Kansas and Missouri. Reports from the Child and Family Services Review (CFSR) indicate that both states failed to meet 50% of the federal standards for child welfare. In addition, both states have had lawsuits filed against them, as they are failing to protect the children and families they serve. The Children’s Rights and the National Center for Youth Law is suing Missouri’s Children’s Division for over-exposing foster children to psychotropic drugs. Missouri’s policy states that parents of children in state custody should be afforded the opportunity to be included in the decision making regarding mental health treatment unless a court order state’s otherwise. However, the practice is for the caseworker to make all the decisions regarding treatment while often not informing or including the parents. This is a clear example of policy and practice not connecting.
In the fall of 2018, Kansas Appleseed, Children’s Rights and the National Center for Youth Law filed a class action lawsuit against Governor Jeff Colyer and the officials responsible for the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF.) Their lawsuit’s concerns include that over the last seven years in Kansas, the number of youths entering foster care has increased seven percent annually, and once a child enters care, their placements lack stability while striving for permanency that takes too long to occur if it ever occurs.
Aside from these lawsuits, both states have seen dramatic loss and shifts in key leadership. In January 2019, Mr. David Kurt the former Deputy Secretary of Kansas DCF and most recently East Regional Director was named as the new Children’s Divisions director in Missouri. While Tanya Keys formerly the Regional Director of Jackson County, Missouri’s Children’s Division was named as Deputy Secretary of Kansas DCF. Given the recent history and failing scores of these two child welfare agencies, who thought that this was a good idea to swap key leaders from failing programs?
The Kansas City Chiefs who just finished an exciting season with the number one offense had the 31st worst defense. Subsequently, their defensive coordinator was fired two days after failing to advance to the Super Bowl. It is most likely safe to say that the failed defensive coordinator is not high on someone’s head coaching candidate list. If the Chiefs would have retained him for another season, they would have faced serious backlash from their fans and the local sports media. However, when Kansas and Missouri child welfare swap failed leaders, all that is heard is the sound of silence. It would be like the Kansas City Chiefs trading their defensive coordinator for the 32nd worst coordinator, or a two major league baseball teams trading each other their worst pitchers. This just does not happen in sports, but it appears that it has occurred between Kansas and Missouri child welfare. What would the youth being served by child welfare have to say if asked? Please help them break the silence and join the discussion.
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