KVC Kansas is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. For more than 20 years, the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) has relied on private, nonprofit partners to help administer various child welfare services, including prevention (family preservation), foster care and adoption.

Foster care case management services are funded by a grant from DCF. KVC currently provides this service in Marshall, Nemaha, Brown, Doniphan, Pottawatomie, Jackson, Jefferson, Wabaunsee, Shawnee, Douglas and Johnson Counties. Once the court has determined that a child needs to be removed from their home, DCF makes a referral to KVC for services to support reunification and timely permanency.

KVC is a non-profit organization. As a not-for-profit, KVC Kansas does not have owners or shareholders, and thus no individuals profit from its charitable services.

KVC Kansas’ financials are independently audited each year. If revenues exceed expenses, those funds are reinvested toward improving foster care services for children and families in Kansas. See below for specific ways that grant funds have been reinvested for quality, innovation and sustainability in 2020-21.

KVC also pursues fundraising to fill gaps in serving children and families. Funds are used for needs such as the Kids Activity Fund (recreational sports fees, dance classes, etc.), back-to-school supplies, holiday gifts for children, and training on trauma-informed care and other important topics for foster, kinship and adoptive parents. You can make a gift here.

Grant Funds

Any excess grant funds are reinvested to improve the quality of services. Recent reinvestments include:

• • Strengthening Kinship Care of Children
    Statewide, the goal is for at least 50% of youth in out-of-home care to be placed with a relative or family friend, known as kinship care. This has shown to reduce trauma and improve outcomes. While KVC Kansas is close to meeting this goal, its internal goal is more ambitious: placing 60% of youth in kinship care. KVC has recently expanded kinship positions to help reach this goal.
  • Strengthening Outpatient Therapy for Children & Families
    KVC specializes in providing trauma-informed mental health services using trauma-informed evidence-based models. Treatment services include diagnosis and treatment for children, adolescents, adults, and their families involved in the Kansas child welfare system. KVC recently added therapists dedicated to supporting foster families as they care for children and teens in crisis. KVC also provides medication management for youth to reduce wait times and better regulate how long youth are on medication while in foster care.
  • Hosting Trainings for Staff and Families
    KVC provides Continuing Education (CEU) opportunities for staff and caregivers to ensure they are prepared to provide the best services.
  • Increased compensation for case managers and other direct care staff. KVC provides competitive salaries that help recruit the most qualified and competent staff.
  • Invested in a Talent Recruiter to help attract skilled employees to child welfare services
  • Invested in application developers to improve technology that powers the services KVC provides. This makes it easier for staff to spend less time in offices and more time providing direct services to families in their homes and communities.

Foster and Kinship Parent Reimbursement

Caregiver reimbursement rates are set by the Department for Children and Families and are determined by the type of placement and the needs of the child. The stipend paid to foster families is in line with national averages (about $20-25 per child daily, with more for children with special needs). The difference in rates between licensed foster families and relative caregivers is intended to match what they can receive through the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program; they can either accept the reimbursement from KVC or apply for TANF. KVC provides additional support to relative and nonrelated kin families. For example, KVC may cover the cost of a hard good such as a bed or utility bill to keep the child safely with a familiar caregiver. Additionally if the child is eligible for social security the relative can apply to be the payee for the child.

Relatives do not need to obtain their foster care license. KVC encourages them to do so as it would help additional children in need and make them eligible to receive the foster family reimbursement rate. The preference for finding relatives first is supported by the law. KVC’s rate of caring for up to 47% of children in relative/non-related kin homes is much higher than the national average of 30%. Non-related kinship caregivers of children in foster care (such as teachers, pastors, coaches, neighbors or other adults familiar to the child) must get licensed, but receive a temporary license in the interim so they can immediately begin caring for the child.

If you have any questions about KVC’s nonprofit structure, please contact us here.