Department for Children and Families Awards New Family First Prevention Grants

Kansas families will now have access to strong evidence-based programs designed to prevent the need for foster care.

Governor Laura Kelly along with Department for Children and Families Secretary Laura Howard awarded 18 agencies from across the state with $13 million in Family First prevention grants.

“From day one of my administration, I’ve made it clear that the safety and well-being of children in Kansas is my top priority,” Kelly said. “I am proud that Kansas, as one of the first states in the nation to implement Family First, has partnered with community organizations to support vulnerable families.”

The Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) provides new federal funding for prevention activities. The funding is available for children at imminent risk of placement in foster care as well as parents or kinship caregivers. The Act provides federal matching dollars for evidence-based services rated as “well- supported” in the areas of mental health, substance use disorder, parent skill building and kinship navigation.

DCF awarded substance use disorder grants to:

• DCCCA for Adolescent-Community Reinforcement Approach services to teens in Crawford county.
• Kansas Children’s Service League for the Parent-Child Assistance Program in Shawnee county.
• Saint Francis Ministries for Seeking Safety in Sedgwick county and five counties in the West Region.

DCF awarded mental health grants to:

• Community Solutions, Inc. for Multisystemic Therapy in selected counties for each DCF region.
• Cornerstones of Care for Functional Family Therapy in the Kansas City Region
• Horizons Mental Health Center for Parent Child Interaction Therapy in Reno county and four counties in the Wichita Region.

• TFI Family Services for Parent Child Interaction Therapy in selected counties in the East, West, and Wichita Regions
• Saint Francis Ministries for Family-Centered Therapy in the West and Wichita Regions.

DCF awarded kinship navigation services to:

• Kansas Legal Services for Kin-tech. This program will serve 400 families statewide.

DCF awarded parent skill building grants to:

• Child Advocacy and Parenting Services for family mentoring in Saline and Ottawa counties.
• FosterAdopt Connect, Inc. for fostering prevention in Johnson and Wyandotte counties.
• Great Circle for Health Families America in selected counties for the East and Kansas City regions.
• Kansas Children’s Service League for Healthy Families America in Sedgwick county and selected counties in the East.
• Kansas Parents as Teachers Association for support to Parents as Teacher’s programming across the state.
• Success by 6 Coalition of Douglas County for Healthy Families America in Douglas County in the Kansas City Region.
• University of Kansas Medical Center Research Institute, Inc. – Project Eagle for Attachment and Bio-Behavioral Catch-Up Program in selected counties in the Kansas City and West Regions.

DCF also awarded the FFPSA grant evaluation to the University of Kansas Center for Research, Inc. The agency is required to engage in an evaluation of our Family First implementation and programs. In its role as Grant Evaluator, KU’s Center for Research will work with DCF prevention grantees to evaluate program data and information regarding outcomes in communities where the new programs are implemented.

As part of the evaluation effort, KU will convene regional and statewide advisory teams around Family First Prevention Services Act implementation.

The evaluation activities in this grant award begin in October and the grant may extend up to five years.

“I am excited that we are able to partner with agencies across the state to make Family First a reality in Kansas,” Howard said. “Whether you are in Cherokee or Cheyenne county, families will have access to strong evidence-based programs all with the goal of preventing the need for a child to enter the foster care system.”

DCF received 55 proposals for Family First prevention grant services. Grant review teams represented each region, DCF administrative staff, and representatives from the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, and the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund.

Team representatives had program expertise in foster care, mental health, early childhood programming, quality assurance, substance use disorder services, and prevention services.

The grants term awarded is October 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020.

Secretary Burghart’s statement on Attorney General Derek Schmidt’s opinion of the collection of taxes from out-of-state retailers

The following statement is from Secretary Mark Burghart regarding AG Schmidt’s opinion of KDOR Notice 19-04.

“For the past 29 years, there has been overwhelming legislative support for re-establishing fairness in the obligation to collect and remit Kansas taxes between out-of-state retailers and Kansas retailers. Notice 19-04 simply informs out-of-state retailers of the law that overwhelmingly passed the Legislature in 2003 that ensures the obligation of out-of-state retailers to collect and remit the taxes that are due and owing. The Notice does not reflect a change in policy, but only restates long-established statutory provisions regarding the duty to collect and remit Kansas taxes.

Prior to the Wayfair decision, Kansas retailers were at a competitive disadvantage with out-of-state retailers. This Notice informs out-of-state retailers of the Wayfair result, which merely removed the constitutional physical presence requirement for such out-of-state retailers and thus leveled the playing field between in-state and out-of-state retailers.

Since the Wayfair decision, more than 3,200 out-of-state businesses have registered with the state to collect and pay taxes to Kansas. Almost 600 of those have registered since August 1, 2019 when the Notice was published.

The Department of Revenue cannot select which laws it enforces. Kansas statutes are presumed to be constitutional, and unless deemed otherwise by a court of competent jurisdiction, the Department is obligated to enforce the statutes enacted by the Legislature.”

Governor launches first Council on Tax Reform meeting

Governor Laura Kelly today lauded the successful start of a bipartisan, in-depth study of the state’s tax system.

The Governor’s Council on Tax Reform, which will make specific statutory recommendations to state lawmakers, met for the first time Tuesday and Wednesday in the Capitol.

The meeting began with an overview of state tax policy changes since 2012 and continued with presentations on the current status of revenue, economic development, transportation and labor in Kansas; sales tax requirements; and an overview of property taxes.

“The information helped establish a solid foundation for Council members as they study strategies for tax reform,” Governor Kelly said. “While Kansas continues to recover from the failed Brownback-Colyer tax experiment – and with economic uncertainty in mind – we need to find balance in tax fairness and stability. I expect the Council to deliver recommendations for reform that benefits all Kansans.

“Even with the fiscal fallout we inherited, I presented a balanced budget this past session without increasing taxes – as promised, and we still were able to start rebuilding our foster-care system, infrastructure and other critical programs,” the governor said. “I’ve assembled a Council with wide-ranging expertise needed to address lingering budgetary challenges and make recommendations on ways to keep moving forward in providing services Kansans need and expect.”

The co-chairs of the bipartisan Council reiterated the importance of keeping the tax burden as low as possible.

“As the governor has said, it’s important to proceed with caution,” co-chair Steve Morris, a Republican and former Senate president, said. “While Kansas continues to recover, we must make sure the tax code can support important public investment in core services such as public safety and infrastructure, but without any undue burden on taxpayers.”

Co-chair Janis Lee, a former state senator who was ranking Democrat on the Senate’s tax committee and a chief hearing officer for the Kansas Court of Tax Appeals, agreed. “Poor policymaking by the previous administration put Kansas in the hole. We cannot repeat the mistakes that led to a self-inflicted budget crisis as we pursue commonsense tax reform beneficial to all Kansans.”

Among issues cited during the initial Council meeting:

• Sales taxes are high and complicated, with a number of inconsistencies.
• High property taxes, a situation worsened by shrinking state support.
• The economic health of the state relies on business and population growth, making it imperative to pursue quality-of-life improvements that require stable revenue.

Future meetings of the Council in 2019 are set for Oct. 15-16, Nov. 14 and Dec. 3-4. An interim report by the Council is planned for December 2019, in advance of the 2020 legislative session. A final report is due in December 2020, in advance of the 2021 legislative session.

For more on Governor Kelly’s executive order establishing the Council and its membership: https://governor.kansas.gov/governor-kelly-issues-executive-order-launching-governors-council-on-tax-reform/

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Registration for the Governor’s Water Conference on the Future of Water in Kansas is now open.

The Governor’s Water Conference is Thursday, November 7 and Friday, November 8, 2019 at a new location, the Hyatt Regency in Wichita, Kansas.

Conference topics include:

• Sustainability Across the Supply Chain
• Flooding Impacts
• Groundwater Quality
• Reservoir Sediment Management

Conference speakers will include Jill Wheeler, head of Sustainable Productivity for Syngenta in North America along with several other influential policy and decision makers.

Day two will build on the water policy and vision implementation discussions from the previous day with technical presentation posters and talks. Graduate and undergraduate students will present their research. Abstracts proposals for these presentations can be sent to KWO. Professional presentation proposals are due September 18 and student proposals are due October 14.

“We encourage anyone to attend who has an interest in our state’s water resources. Legislators, water managers, state, federal, city and county administrators as well as scientists, organizations and producers are all welcome,” said Earl Lewis, Kansas Water Office Acting Director. “Now being five years into the Kansas Water Vision and considering the state’s current resource conditions as well as dealing with such extreme drought one year and devastating flooding the next, there is no better time to focus attention to Kansas’ water needs and the role water plays in growing our state’s economy.”

The Water Legacy Award and Be the Vision recipients will be presented at the conference and the KWO Photo Contest will be a feature again this year.

Registration is available online at www.kwo.ks.gov. The deadline is October 24. Conference details, tentative agenda, brochure, speakers, sponsors and hotel information can be found online as well.

The Governor’s Conference on the Future of Water in Kansas is hosted by the KWO and K-State /Kansas Water Resource Institute. Major sponsors for the event include Black & Veatch, Burns & McDonnell, Great Lakes Dredge & Dock, 96 Agri Sales, Inc.

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As the state’s water office, KWO conducts water planning, policy coordination and water marketing as well as facilitates public input throughout the state.

The agency prepares the KANSAS WATER PLAN, a plan for water resources development, management and conservation.

Free Resources Help Parents Ensure Children’s Safety
State Partners Highlight Car Seat Safety During Child Passenger Safety Week

TOPEKA – Every day in America, millions of parents and caregivers take to the road with children in their vehicles. While many children are buckled up in the right car seat for their ages and sizes – nearly half (46 percent) are not, and some aren’t buckled up at all. Child Passenger Safety Week is September 15-21, 2019, and Safe Kids Kansas, the Kansas Department of Transportation and Kansas Highway Patrol want to ensure children ride as safely as possible—every trip, every time.

“Every 32 seconds in 2017, a child under 13 was involved in a motor vehicle crash,” said Colonel Herman T. Jones, Kansas Highway Patrol. “Using a car seat that fits your child and your vehicle is the best way to keep your children safe.” According to NHTSA, motor vehicle crashes are a leading killer of children. While fatalities and injuries declined from 2016 to 2017, there is still work to be done to completely eliminate these preventable tragedies. Car seats, booster seats, and seat belts can make all the difference. “In 2017, there were 312 children under the age of 5 saved because they were using restraints,” said Col. Jones. “Car seats matter.”

Too often, parents move their children to the front seat before they should, which increases the risk of injury and death, even if they are buckled up. The safest place for all kids under 13 is in the back seat.

“As parents and caregivers, we have a long list of things we do for our children to show our love. One of the simplest and most important things on the list should be to make sure they are in the right car seat for their age and size,” said Cherie Sage, Safe Kids Kansas. “Get your car seats checked. Make certain they’re installed correctly, and that your kids are in the right seats and are buckled in correctly. Even if you think your child’s car seat is installed correctly, get it checked with a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, so you can be sure that your child is the safest he or she can be while traveling.” To find a car seat inspection station near you, visit www.kansascarseatcheck.org.

According to a 2018-19 observational survey, if the driver is belted, about 97% of the observed children are belted too. If the driver is not belted, about 30% of the observed children are belted.

“Drivers play an important role in not only getting to a destination safely, but ensuring all passengers are buckled up,” said Julie Lorenz, Kansas Secretary of Transportation. “Seat belts are for everyone because your life and your passenger’s lives depend on it.”

For optimal safety, it is recommended to keep children rear-facing as long as possible, up to the top height or weight allowed by their particular seats. Once a child outgrows the rear-facing-only “infant” car seat, he/she should travel in a rear-facing “convertible,” or all-in-one car seat. Once your child outgrows the rear-facing size limits, the child is ready to travel in a forward-facing car seat with a harness (always use the tether). After outgrowing the forward-facing car seat with harness, children should be placed in booster seats until they’re the right size to use seat belts safely. And if children are under 13 years old, they should always sit in the back seat.

Remember to register your car seat or booster seat with the seat manufacturer so you can be notified in the event of a recall. Parents and caregivers can find more information on how to choose and use car seats safely at www.ultimatecarseatguide.org.

Secretary David Toland Announces Agency Restructuring, Open New Positions

Topeka, Kan. – Secretary of Commerce David Toland has announced agency-wide restructuring as part ongoing rebuilding efforts. These actions include the rebuilding of both the Business Development and International Trade Divisions.

“Much of the structure that exists today at the Department of Commerce came in response to hasty budget cuts and ideologically-driven decisions that simply do not reflect best practices in economic development,” Secretary Toland said. “When you’re in the business of selling the state as a great place to do business, it makes no sense to eliminate much of your sales force, as happened under the previous administration. Governor Kelly and I are determined to do the difficult restructuring work at Commerce that will yield strong economic growth in urban, suburban and rural communities across the state.”

Two new positions will be created to align with the new structure:

• Business Development Division Director – The director will develop and administer programs designed to recruit and retain businesses within the state. They will lead a team of local and regional economic development professionals to grow and diversify the economy, while promoting the state as a desirable location to do business.
• International Trade Division Director – The director will design and lead the international investment and trade development strategy for the state, including opening new export markets for Kansas businesses and recruiting businesses seeking U.S. locations to the state.

Current Director of Business Development Susan NeuPoth Cadoret has announced that she will retire in December 2020. She is transitioning into a new role as special advisor to the Secretary, supporting Secretary Toland’s re-engineering of the Department.

“Susan is a committed and forceful advocate for Kansas communities and businesses, and she stepped up to the plate to hold our Business and Community Development functions together during incredibly difficult times in the agency,” Toland said. “I’m grateful to Susan for 20 years of service at Commerce and for her willingness to work closely with me in this new role as we return this agency to a national leader in economic development.”

Alicia Janesko Hutchings, who was appointed by Secretary Toland in June to lead the Business Recruitment team, will remain in that capacity.

Ryan Brinker

Public Information Officer

[email protected]

Kansas Department of Commerce

Office of the Secretary

1000 SW Jackson St. Ste. 100

Topeka, KS 66612-1354

Phone: (785) 296-4931

Cell: (785) 276-9723