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DFC tells committee of cross‑agency partnerships; large child‑welfare IT upgrade imminent
Summary
Secretary Howard described Department for Children and Families collaborations with local partners, school districts, law enforcement and the treasurer’s office, and outlined plans to replace multiple child‑welfare systems with a federal CCWIS‑compatible system to reduce duplicated data entry and improve case management.
Secretary Howard of the Kansas Department for Children and Families told the Committee on Government Efficiency that the department has expanded local partnerships and is preparing to modernize child‑welfare information technology through a Comprehensive Child Welfare Information System (CCWIS) procurement backed by legislative and gubernatorial support.
Howard summarized DCF’s four primary service areas — economic and employment supports (TANF, SNAP and child care), child welfare (prevention to foster care and adoption), child support services and rehabilitation/vocational services for people with disabilities — and said DCF is working with multiple state and local partners to streamline service delivery and prevent gaps in care.
Examples of collaboration: Howard described Together Kansas outreach events that bring state and local resources to communities; co‑located eligibility workers and human‑service consultants in Wichita and other regions; a shared caseload model called “1 Kansas,” which she said reduced eligibility determinations to under ten days; and a longstanding multidisciplinary Exploited and Missing Children Unit in Sedgwick County where DCF, Wichita police and the Sedgwick County Sheriff share staffing and funding.
Child‑welfare modernization: Howard said DCF operates several legacy systems in child welfare and is ready to begin vendor selection for a CCWIS replacement. The new system — she said — will consolidate case records, reduce redundant data entry, provide federal reporting compliance and allow controlled access for partner agencies and private case managers. Howard noted the contract award process requires federal review and that the project is already through planning and procurement steps.
Other operational items: Howard said legislation passed in the most recent session requires DCF investigators to make contact within 24 hours of a law‑enforcement report; she said that change means investigators will work seven days a week beginning July 1 (per the law). She also discussed Sunbucks, a federal summer‑meals program DCF administers, and said better data matching with Medicaid would allow more families to be auto‑enrolled.
Local concerns flagged: a committee member raised the Goodland office closing; Howard said staff would provide exact usage numbers and that services are being delivered in community partner locations such as the library. Howard pledged ongoing monitoring of partner‑site access and continued outreach in rural communities.
Ending: Howard asked for continued attention to legacy systems and data‑sharing barriers, and praised interagency cooperation with the Office of the State Treasurer, KDHE, KDADS and local law enforcement on child‑welfare and adult‑protective matters.
