Gov. Kelly issues executive order reforming DCF
TOPEKA (KSNT) - Governor Laura Kelly signed her first executive order of 2025 to reform federal benefits to foster care youth. The order will completely reform the way federal benefits are handled.
Kelly signed Executive Order 25-01 on Jan. 10 which is intended to increase support to families, enhance transparency and improve how benefits are transferred after youth leave the foster care system.
“Federal benefits belong to the child – it's their property,” Kelly said. “By ending the exploitation of children’s property as a revenue source, we are demonstrating our commitment to improving the foster care system in Kansas.”
In Kansas, the Department for Children and Families (DCF) uses cash entitled to youth to reimburse themselves for providing food, clothing and shelter. The new executive order will stop DCF from using children's benefits to reimburse itself. Instead, DCF will work as a child's fiduciary and work to find adults who wish to manage the funds until the child is 18 years old, according to a press release from the Office of the Governor.
“I am excited about this new partnership to help more Kansans discover the life-changing benefits of the Kansas ABLE Savings Plan,” said State Treasurer Steven Johnson. “DCF’s initiative to establish ABLE accounts for eligible children under their care will help open the doors of opportunity. As these children leave the care of the state, their ABLE account will serve as an impactful financial tool to help them build a secure and independent future.”
DCF will publish more guidance for families and youth regarding the order, according to the Office of the Governor.
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