Kansas Child Welfare System Improves Mental Health Screenings & Timely Treatment Goals In Lawsuit Settlement

During 2023, 69% of youth in the custody of the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) received mental health and trauma screenings by qualified, trained professionals within 30 days of entering care. Since 2021, the percentage of youth in DCF custody who received timely screening has increased by 35%. Additionally, in 2023, 52% of foster youth with mental and behavioral health needs received treatment services, most with no delays or interruptions due to placement instability.

DCF announced the statistics on September 16, 2024. They were reported in the third status report for the 2020 McIntyre Settlement by the neutral . . .