The Joint Committee on Child Welfare System Oversight convened on August 4, 2025, to discuss critical issues affecting the foster care system in Kansas. The meeting featured testimonies from various stakeholders, including Hannah Grace Gorman, the administrative manager of So Home Kids Foundation, a group home located in Neodesha, Southeast Kansas.

Gorman opened the session by sharing her personal journey as an adopted child and her commitment to supporting youth in the foster care system, particularly those deemed high needs or hard to place. She emphasized the foundation's mission to provide trauma-informed, loving, and faith-driven care. Since its inception in February 2023, So Home Kids Foundation has successfully served over 100 children, with nearly 95 percent transitioning into long-term placements, family reunifications, or independent living arrangements.

The committee members engaged in discussions surrounding the challenges faced by group homes and the importance of collaboration among various organizations to enhance the welfare of children in the system. Gorman's testimony underscored the need for continued advocacy and support for all group homes in Kansas, highlighting their role in addressing the complex needs of vulnerable youth.

The meeting concluded with a commitment from committee members to explore further support mechanisms for group homes and to consider policy recommendations aimed at improving outcomes for children in the foster care system. The next steps will involve gathering additional data and feedback from stakeholders to inform future legislative actions.