KS Asst Dir CFS Sue McKenna Misleads Public

Kansas Assistant Director of Children and Family Services, Roberta Sue McKenna, participated in a panel discussion which included Kansas Attorney/Guardian Ad Litems, and Judges. This was titled "KTWU's Abused, Neglected, Protected: When Children Go to Court" which was produced by nonprofit Washburn University. The discussion aired on KPTS Channel 8 on Tuesday Feb 22, 2011Roberta

Sue McKenna works directly under Tanya Keys who is the Director of Children and Family Services. Why is McKenna misleading the public on time spent in care and making foster care look like a walk in the park? McKenna said, "64% go home within 12 months.. another substantial percentage go home in less than two years. So most of the children who are removed from their parents custody return to their parents custody..... (Regarding time spent in care)...less than 12 months.. Just think, if we could all remember how long it took to get to Christmas. How much time there was between birthdays..."

FACTS: The number of Kansas children served in Out of Home Placement in FY2010 was 8,275The number of Kansas children reunified in FY2010 was 1,720The total percentage of children reunified in FY2010 was 20%...NOT 64% as McKenna said.

FACTS: Kansas children average length of time in care FY2010 was 19.4 monthsSedgwick County children average length of time in care FY2010 was 30.7 months