Kansas Partnership for Educating Kids in Care

Children in foster care are less likely to graduate high school. Nationally, graduation rates are roughly 50%. In Kansas, the startling gap between graduation rates of youth in foster care (20.6%) and those children not in care (81%) is a disquieting alarm signaling the need for this project.

We address this problem through a multi-stage approach:  (1) performing a data capacity needs assessment with a broad array of stakeholders (system administrators, caseworkers, educators, families, kids, etc.) to inform the building and strengthening state-level cross-system collaboration; (2) using this infrastructure and data to develop shared vision/goals in conjunction with cross-system data sharing agreements; (3) implementing a parallel process in local pilot site (Topeka Unified School District/Northeast Region SRS) to set goals and use shared data to build capacity for data-driven decision-making at the local level; and (4) developing a Kansas Blueprint for Change to facilitate replicating this work in other communities in Kansas and beyond. Ultimately, these actions are designed to build infrastructure and remove system barriers that contribute to the alarming gap in graduation rates as well as enhancing permanency and well-being for youth ages 10 to 17 in the child welfare system.

Program Personnel

Garstka, Ph. D., Teri
Title: Principal Investigator
785-864-3329
E-mail

Lieberman, Ph.D., Alice
Title: Co-Principal Investigator
785-864-8957
E-mail