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Budget panel approves DCF budget, restores CCWIS funds and adds foster-care aid for Sedgwick County
Summary
The Committee on Social Services Budget approved the Department for Children and Families budget as amended, restored roughly $7.7 million in reappropriated funds for the CCWIS child‑welfare information system, and recommended $500,000 in FY27 to stabilize foster care in Sedgwick County with a separate $250,000 allocation for Amber Hope aftercare services.
The Committee on Social Services Budget voted to approve the Department for Children and Families (DCF) budget as amended and took separate steps to address rising foster‑care needs in Sedgwick County.
Amanda, committee staff, told members the committee’s draft report contained two distinct responses to increased foster‑care demand in Sedgwick County: a portion of the governor’s recommendation that would fund private case management provider Amber Hope to hire four therapists and a public‑testimony request from Foster Adopt Connect for $500,000 in FY27 to add seven parent‑support and prevention specialists. "There was a conversation around providing help to Sedgwick County as they're seeing the increase in the number of kids in foster care," Amanda said while summarizing the two tracks.
Representative Carpenter moved to allocate $500,000 SGF in FY27 for foster‑care stabilization in Sedgwick County; the committee discussed whether funds should be dedicated entirely to Amber Hope or split among community providers. Carpenter separately moved a $250,000 SGF appropriation to Amber Hope for behavioral‑health aftercare services tied to a specified account number. The committee approved the foster‑care recommendation and related Amber Hope funding by voice vote.
Separately, the committee restored a reappropriation the agency said it needs to proceed with the Comprehensive Child Welfare Information System (CCWIS). Representative Orpiza recommended restoring about $7.6–7.7 million SGF to complete CCWIS development; committee staff said the special committee had previously deleted reappropriations and the agency has billed against the contract. Members voted to restore the reappropriation.
After those votes, Representative King moved to accept the DCF budget for fiscal years 2026–27 as amended; the motion passed on a voice vote.
What comes next: The committee paused further action and moved on to KDHE business. The DCF votes will go with the committee chair’s report to House appropriations as part of the normal budget process.
