Kansas establishes the Office of the Child Advocate to coordinate between state agencies

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly signed a bill creating the Office of the Child Advocate, which will be tasked with ensuring coordination between state agencies that offer services to children.

The office, and its chief executive the child advocate, are tasked with resolving complaints that allege the Department for Children and Families gave inadequate protection or care to children, failed to protect a child’s safety or welfare or if the agency failed to follow laws, policies or regulations.

"This bill is a significant step forward in ensuring the welfare of children in our state," Gov. Laura Kelly said. "Establishing the Office of Child Advocate as an independent, permanent agency promotes accountability and transparency, undoubtedly protecting more Kansas children.”

The bill is the codification of the current Division of the Child Advocate, which Kelly created via executive order in 2021. Attempts to make the office permanent failed in 2022 and 2023, with legislators disagreeing on how to structure the office.

This session, Republican leadership was intent on creating an independent office. In October, Senate President Ty Masterson, R-Andover and House Speaker Dan Hawkins, R-Wichita, committed to the idea.

More: Kansas will have a permanent child advocate's office after years of work by legislators

“For over seven years, we have worked tirelessly to pass this legislation. The concept of an Office of Child Advocate has taken many forms, been heavily debated in the Legislature, and — far too often — got caught up in disagreements over the details,” said Kansas State Representative Jarrod Ousley, D-Merriam. “The Office of Child Advocate will make Kansas’s child welfare system more accountable and protect children from falling through the cracks.”

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: New Kansas office will investigate complaints for children services