Office move, KDHE rulemaking and courts’ family treatment pilot top Cabinet agency updates

Cabinet members heard a series of agency updates covering program moves, regulatory work and pilot initiatives at the April meeting of the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund.

Office of Early Childhood transition: Christie Smith reported staff and program transfers, technology and asset moves, and construction progress for the new Docking State Office Building location. Staff are mapping workflows, arranging site visits and coordinating federal and legacy-agency transitions ahead of a summer move.

KDHE rulemaking and WIC: Derek Fleurlock of KDHE said two rule packages—out-of-school-time program updates to align with federal child care assistance eligibility and H.B. 2045 compliance changes—are with the attorney general’s office for legal review and will enter public comment after that review. He also noted a WIC remote-certification waiver that has benefited clients; staff expect it may expire in late summer unless federal action is taken.

KDOC and family supports: KDOC reported additional funding for a nursery at the Topeka Correctional Facility to create a more nurturing environment for incarcerated people who give birth and described family-focused events and renewed functional family therapy grants for youth and families.

KSDE and program funding shifts: Amanda Peterson of KSDE highlighted outreach (kindergarten readiness booklets and ASQ screening tools), the Kinders Can conference, and funding changes for preschool initiatives: the Kansas Preschool Pilot will shift to sole funding from Temporary Assistance for Needy Families next year, and the Parents as Teachers program will transfer to the Kansas Office of Early Childhood on July 1.

Courts and child welfare pilots: Justice Standridge updated the cabinet on child welfare coordination, the Home for Every Child partnership to expand foster homes, the role of family resource centers, and a Family Treatment Court pilot that offers intensive, twice-monthly wraparound oversight and inpatient SUD treatment slots; the pilot has drawn interest from other judicial districts.

Board members thanked staff and asked for follow-up details on office tours and timelines; Melissa Schoenberger indicated the cabinet will share opportunities for site visits and discuss budget accountability and planning at the June retreat.