Kansas Loses 500 Foster Homes In Three Years; Half Of Foster Parents Cite Lack Of Support From Foster Care Agencies

Between July 2019 and June 2022, the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) lost 500 licensed foster homes. During this period, 2,534 licensed family foster homes closed. DCF was able to recruit and license 2,000 more families, which replaced only 80% of the closed homes. During late 2022, the Kansas Division of The Child Advocate (KDCA) surveyed the state’s former foster parents to better understand why they left the system. About half (48.8%) cited “lack of agency support” as a reason for closure. About 35% said they were unable or unwilling to continue fostering. About . . .