Release: Forum to explore foster care concerns

MANHATTAN, KAN--Strengthen Families Rebuild Hope, a coalition of advocacy groups and individuals will host a public forum on foster care issues from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 15 in the conference room at the Manhattan Fire Department, 2000 Dennison.

The meeting is open to anyone interested in foster care, especially child welfare-involved individuals and families, social workers and foster parents.

“We’re hoping to make the public more aware of some concerns, to hear what concerns may be unique to Manhattan and the surrounding area, to talk about how to make things better, and to take action,” said Lucy McIntyre, an advocate for Kansas Appleseed, a nonprofit organization working towards thriving, inclusive and just Kansas communities. Kansas Appleseed is coordinating the coalition’s efforts.

In recent months, several legislators have questioned both the state Department for Children and Families’ oversight of the state’s foster care contracts, and the record-breaking numbers of children in the state custody.

Kansas’ foster care system cared for about 5,200 children in 2010; today, it cares for more than 7,300.

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For more information: 
Contact: Christina Ostmeyer
costmeyer@kansasappleseed.org
Office: 785-856-0917 | Cell: 785-269-7493