Today, Governor Laura Kelly signed the nation’s first executive order to comprehensively reform the taking of federal benefits from foster youth. The order aims to ensure abused and neglected children are not deprived of vital resources while in care and to support their transition to independence.
An estimated 10-20% of foster youth qualify for federal social security, disability, or veteran survivor benefits. Until now, Kansas took approximately $9 million annually from these benefits to cover the costs of foster care services. The executive order, modeled after reforms by the Center for the Rights of Abused Children, halts this practice and strengthens access to federal programs, improving outcomes for foster youth, particularly those with disabilities.