DCF announces
Case Management Provider Contracts
TFI, KVC Kansas,
Cornerstones of Care and Saint Francis Ministries remain; EmberHope to focus on
Sedgwick County
Topeka, Kan. – The Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) announces the awarding of contracts for its Case Management Providers (CMP), which focus on foster care services for Kansas. The existing four contractors – TFI, KVC Kansas, Cornerstones of Care, and Saint Francis Ministries – will continue their work in their existing catchment areas across the state, with one exception. In Sedgwick County, EmberHope will replace Saint Francis Ministries.
“During the bidding process, we were focused on the organizations’ commitment to enhancing the quality of foster care, reintegration, adoption, ICPC, and independent living services to Kansas children,” said DCF Secretary Laura Howard. “We believe our contracted partners are committed to a practice model that guides team members to engage families and create lifetime support networks.”
The contracts are announced as DCF has 5,895 children in foster care, the fewest number of children in care since January 2014.
The CMP partners will be expected to ensure families experience timely and effective services and interventions while keeping the children and their families at the center of the process. They will ensure placement minimizes trauma by, when possible, placing children with relatives and/or non-related kin, and keeping siblings together.
“Families remain to be at the center of the process,” Howard said.
Sedgwick County:
Sedgwick County, catchment area 7, will be served by EmberHope. The county accounts for 20 percent of the children in care statewide. While DCF is working in partnership with various local and county organizations, including the Kansas Health Foundation and the Kansas Leadership Institute, to build community awareness and support, this new contractor will enhance the services provided.
“EmberHope’s focus will be to support children and families in Sedgwick County,” said DCF Secretary Laura Howard.
Adjusted caseload standards:
The new contracts adjust foster care caseload standards for case managers, aligning them with the Council on Accreditation Standards. The 2022 edition established the following caseloads:
- 12-15 children in foster care or kinship care, and their families; and
- 8 children in treatment foster care, and their families.
- When workers manage a blend of case types, caseloads should be weighted and adjusted accordingly.
- Caseloads may be higher when organizations are faced with temporary staff vacancies.
- New personnel should not carry independent caseloads prior to the completion of training.
The contracts will be in place from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2028, with an optional renewal for four additional 12-month periods.