The number of Kansas children in state custody has reached an all time high. Children are taken from their homes and put into foster care for a number of reasons.
The Kansas Department for Children and Families says the No. 1 reason children are pulled out of homes is because one parent or both are on drugs. In the past year in the kansas city area, that amounts to more than 100 kids.
Top reasons kids are placed in foster care in kansas
1. drug abuse by parent
2. caretakers inability to cope
3. physical abuse
4. physical neglect
5. lack of supervision
Statewide nearly 750 Kansas children were removed from their homes because of suspicions and concerns about a parent’s drug and alcohol use.
The agency says mental illness often plays a role as those parents are more likely to self medicate.
It says more Kansas children are in foster care than ever before.
