FY2012 Performance Outcomes

The State of Kansas contracts with private not-for-profit organizations to provide case management and related services for youth and families when

the child has been removed from his/her home. There are five Regions in the State served by these Reintegration/Foster Care service contractors. TFI

Family Services, Inc. was the contractor for two of the five Regions (1 and 3) during State Fiscal Year 2012 and holds these contracts through Fiscal

Year 2013.

On June 30, 2012, the end of Fiscal Year 2012, there were 5,303 children placed in out-of-home care throughout the State. Of these children, 806 or

15.2% had been removed from counties in Region 1. In Region 3, there were 1,329 or 25.1% of these children in out-of-home care.

For more information on outcomes in the State of Kansas, please visit the DCF Website.

http://www.dcf.ks.gov/

Children entering State custody have often already experienced abuse, neglect, and a sudden change to their world, all though no

fault of their own. While in the State’s custody, it is important that children have a stable environment with minimal moves and dis-

ruption while in out-of-home care, giving children a chance at a normal childhood that fosters growth and development.

TFI Family Services, Inc. continues to be a National Leader in the timely and safe reintegration of children with their families and

providing stable community-based placements. Performance measures reflect the impact of efforts that have exceeded many State

Averages and National Standards.

For children entering out-of-home care for the first time between January 1, 2011 and June 30, 2011, 44.3% of children in Region 1 and 38.2% in

Region 3 were returned home to their families within 12 months of their initial removal from their home. The national standard is 39.4% and the State

average is 37.8%.

39.4

37.8

44.3

38.2

34

36

38

40

42

44

46

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Children returned home within 12 months after initial removal between

January 1, 2011 and June 30, 2011

National Standard

State Average

TFI in State Region 1


Barbara grew up never knowing what a nurturing home environment

looked like. When she had Tyler, she vowed she would not repeat her

parent’s mistakes. As a toddler, Tyler would not stop asking questions.

Everything Barbara said or asked of Tyler was met by a “Why” or “What.”

She did not know that young children are naturally inquisitive, and she

viewed his normal behavior as defiant.

The thought of her child becoming unruly scared Barbara, and she pun-

ished him for being so questioning. As Tyler’s behaviors continued and

Barbara’s stress escalated, so too, did her punishments. Barbara was re-

ported to the authorities for child abuse and a judge removed Tyler was

her home for his safety. Devastated, Barbara realized she had crossed a

line. A case worker helped Barbara, teaching her what to expect in a

child’s development and what were appropriate corrective actions. After

she fulfilled all the requirements set forth by the judge, Tyler and Barbara

were reunited. It is now years later, and Tyler and Barbara remain a strong

family. They are united, Barbara is committed, and Tyler is safe.

When a child is removed from their home for their safety, TFI works hard to help families through their crisis, getting them the help they need so that

they can be reunited. Of the children who returned home during the year, 77.3% of children in Region 1 and 69.6% of children in Region 3 were in out-

of-home care less than 12 months. The national standard was 69.9% while the State’s average was 69.0%.

69.9 69

77.3

69.6

60

65

70

75

80

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Out of children returned home during the

year, percent who had been out-of-home less than

12 months

National Standard

State Average



Caitlin’s parents were going through a family crisis. Her father was

laid off, her mother worked a job that could not cover the monthly bills,

and they had Caitlin’s needs weighing heavily on them. Desperate

and losing hope, her parents turned to alcohol and drugs for an es-

cape. Their substance use got out of control causing Caitlin to be re-

moved from the home. Once they lost her, Caitlin’s parents realized

that they needed to find a better way to cope so their family could be

whole once again. With the help of their case workers, Caitlin’s par-

ents overcame their substance abuse, her father got a steady job, and

within a year, Caitlin was safely returned home. Caitlin is now able to

live with her parents as a strong family unit and within a nurturing

environment.

When children are released from State custody and returned home to be with their family, it is meant to be forever. Unfortunately, sometimes this

doesn’t always work out if a family enters another crisis and has resumed behaviors that make it unsafe for the children to remain in the home. TFI

Family Services’ works very closely with all involved so that children can have safety and a sense of permanency in their lives.

Of Children released from State custody, only 9.1% of children in Region 1 and 8.1% of children in Region 3 were subsequently returned to State cus-

tody within 12 months of the initial release from custody. The national standard is 15% and the State average is 7.6%.

Safety first. 99.93% of children in Region 1 and 99.63% of children in Region 3 stayed safe while in out-of-home care. National standards are 99.68%

and State average is 99.84%.

Jayden knew his home life wasn’t perfect. His friends never came home to an empty house, wondering

when or if their parents would return. It didn’t bother him though. Jayden knew how survive on his own.

The thought of living with a stranger, however, did bother Jayden. As they were driving to his new foster

home, Jayden told his case worker about the neighbor that would feed him while his parents were away;

how he could go to a friend’s for a sleep-over and shower; and that he could cook macaroni all by him-

self. He knew he was only 10, but he could care for himself better than his parents ever did when they

were around. He told her that he didn’t need a stranger to watch over him.

Despite his pleas, they arrived at the local foster home. At first, Jayden was scared. It took a while be-

fore he would talk at the dinner table or play games with the family on Friday nights, but after a while

Jayden realized he was finally safe and cared for. His foster family treated him just like their own chil-

dren. He had siblings to play with, warm and filling meals, a clean and comfortable room all to himself,

and a family to help him through this transition. Jayden’s parents eventually surrendered their parental

rights and Jayden was put up for adoption. His foster family, who showed him what it meant to feel safe

and nurtured, adopted him.

TFI Family Services, Inc. also excels when compared nationally in providing stable community-based placements.

69.2% of children in Region 1 and 63.7% in Region 3 experienced

only 1 to 2 placements while in out-of-home care between 12 and 24

months. The national standard was 59.9% and the State average

was 64.6%.

83.3

85.8 86.3

87.9

80

82

84

86

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90

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Children who did not experience more than two placements in less than 12 months of out-of-

home placement

National Standard

State Average



59.9

64.6

69.2

63.7

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60

65

70

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Children who were in out-of-home placement between 12 and 24 months who did not

experience more than two placements

National Standard

State Average



86.3% of children in Region 1 and 87.9% of children in Region 3 ex-

perienced only 1 to 2 placements in less than 12 months of out-of-

home care. The national standard is 83.3% and the State average is

85.8%.

Being able to keep a child close to their community and school is of

the utmost importance to helping them feel like something in their life

is stable when all else can seem like chaos. TFI works hard to do this

as well as find a relative or kinship placement for a child in out-of-

home care.

In just 6 short months, Madison’s life had turned upside down. She had been removed

from home because her parents were unable to properly care for her, was then placed

with temporary foster home for three days, and then moved in with a nearby aunt. She

was comforted by the idea of living with family, though she wasn’t sure if they would real-

ly want her around.

One day, Madison walked to a park a couple blocks away to play on the equipment.

When she heard her aunt calling out the front door for her, Madison panicked. She was

not supposed to leave the house without permission, and she forgot to ask. Only yester-

day, Madison had finally fully unpacked her few possessions. She was just starting to

feel at home, just beginning to feel like she had someone she could talk to, and now she

broke a rule! Madison was scared that her aunt would be mad and call the social worker

to take her to a new home. She couldn’t stand the thought of moving again, adjusting to

new rules, new kids, and a new neighborhood.

Her aunt found Madison on a swing, crying. When Madison saw her aunt coming, she

cried out, begging not to send her back. To Madison’s surprise, her aunt simply gave her

a hug, and told her that she was family. Madison’s aunt promised she would continue to

care for her, no matter what, until she could safely move back with her parents. Madison

smiled, realizing that she was not unwanted after all.

Madison stayed with her aunt for 11 months. At that time, her parents completed the re-

quirements in their case plan, and Madison was returned home. Madison was grateful

that her aunt stuck with her, even in such a trying time.

When children age out of foster care, they often feel alone. It is vital that they have a positive role model in their lives to help them succeed in their

new life. 97.7 % of young adults in Region 1 and 100% in Region 3 who exited State custody identified at least one positive role model. While there is

no national standard for this, the State average is 99.3%.

99.3

97.7

100

96.5

97

97.5

98

98.5

99

99.5

100

100.5

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Young adults who exited state custody who had at lease one identified positive role model

State Average



Ethan wanted to go back with his father, but his single father

was unable to hold a steady job, and could not provide a safe

home. Ethan spent the rest of his teenage years in a caring

foster home. As he neared graduation and the transition into

adulthood, Ethan thought about his future. He loved his father,

but did not want to follow the same path. He looked towards

his foster parents; they were kind, supportive, and lived in a

modest but comfortable home. They were hard working and

the kind of people you could look up to. It gave Ethan comfort

to know that they would be able to offer him offer advice and

guidance as he transitioned to living on his own as an adult.

Out of children who had siblings, 81.1% of children in Region 1 and 76.9% of children in Region 3 were placed with at least one sibling while in out-of-

home care. A national standard is not available for this outcome, however, the State average is 78.8%.

78.8

81.1

76.9

74

75

76

77

78

79

80

81

82

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Children who were placed with at least one sibling while in out-of-home placement

State Average



At 4 years-old, Daniel was too young to understand everything that was

going on. Sometimes his parents were nice, but other times his parents

did things that scared him. Daniel had one older brother, Jake. He was

someone he knew he could trust. When his parents started acting scary,

Jake would always help comfort Daniel by reading him a story or singing a

song he learned at school.

One day, Daniel and Jake moved out of their parents’ house. The adults

helping them told them they were going to live in a foster home. The

thought of living with adults he didn’t know scared Daniel. If his parents,

who knew and loved him could be scary, what would adults he did not

even know be like? Jake took Daniel’s hand and promised him that as

long as they could stay together, he would keep him safe, read him sto-

ries, and sing him songs.

Daniel and Jake were able to live in a foster home and face the challeng-

es of a family crisis together. Jake helped Daniel adjust and feel safe in

their new home while Daniel gave Jake a sense of purpose and responsi-

bility. Together, they remained a family, small but strong.

34.5% of children in Region 1 and 33.9% of children in Region 3 were placed with a relative while in out-of-home care. A national standard is not avail-

able for this outcome, however, the State average is 30.6%.

30.6

34.533.9

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33

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35

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Children who are placed with a relative while in out-of-home placement

State Average



Logan knew he should tell someone. He and his sister, Hannah, had to walk

over piles of garbage and dirty clothes anywhere they went in their apartment,

there was rarely food in the kitchen cabinets, and young Hannah’s diaper

would often go a whole day without being changed. Logan knew this wasn’t a

safe way to live, but he was scared to tell. He didn’t want to be taken from their

home only to live with strangers. Eventually, his rumbling stomach convinced

him to share what was happening at home.

Logan talked with lots of adults after that, and one of them even came to his

apartment for a visit. The day came when Logan was asked to pack his stuff.

Scared, he asked where he was moving. The social worker explained to Logan

that his home was not a safe place to stay, but that his grandma had offered to

have both him and Hannah live with her. Relief swept over him! Grandma’s

house smelled like flowers and she always had snacks and big, home-cooked

meals when Logan visited. Logan knew his grandma loved him and Hannah,

and that they would have a safe and caring home with her.

FY2012 Performance Outcomes

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