Kansas DCF Ordered To Preserve Foster Youth’s Federal Benefits

In January 2025, the governor directed the Kansas Department of Children and Families (DCF) to implement new processes to preserve federal benefits for youth in care, rather than use the benefits to cover the costs of foster care for the youth. On January 10, 2025, Governor Laura Kelly signed Executive Order 25-01 to comprehensively reform the practice of distributing federal benefits to qualifying foster youth, enhance transparency, and improve the process of transitioning benefits when a child leaves foster care.

Some children in foster care are entitled to benefits through supplemental security income (SSI) disability, Social Security Administration (SSA . . .