Kansas Settles Child Welfare Lawsuit, Will Implement Reforms To Reduce Placement Instability & Improve Access To Mental Health Services

On July 8, 2020, the Kansas Department of Children and Families (DCF) entered a settlement agreement that calls for the state to transform its foster care system to reduce placement instability and to ensure that children have prompt access to mental health treatment. The agreement is in response to the class action lawsuit, M.B. v. Howard, filed in November 2018 by Kansas Appleseed and other organizations on behalf of the more than 7,000 children in foster care in the state. The settlement will not be final until after notice is given to the class members and the court . . .