If you have any questions please call (877) 530-5275.

Note: KCSL does not release any identifying information about the adopted child, birth parents or adoptive parents without that person’s written permission to do so. Unless the person was born before 1910 and we can presume he/she has passed away. KCSL’s adult adoptees, birth parents and adoptive parents are encouraged to keep their name and address updated along with their desire of whether or not they would like their information shared with family members who may inquire.

Case Managers provide the following services to families

• Advocate for the youth and family
• Perform a strength and needs assessment
• Offer referrals to community resources (including mental health and substance abuse agencies)
• Address educational needs
• Provide financial assistance/consulting
• Offer concrete goals and services
• Support families through court proceedings/processes

Common concerns or reasons for case management

• At-risk for out of home placement (DCF or JJA custody)
• Substance abuse
• Need for counseling services
• Financial concerns
• Education problems (Truancy, poor classroom behavior, or academic performance)
• Health care needs
• Family conflict resolution
• Need for support through juvenile court procedures
• Troubled siblings

Safe and Strong – Right from the Start
You can help prevent child abuse and neglect in your community and state. Here’s some suggestions of things you can do to help keep kids safe and strong – right from the start:

Advocate. Help change the way our state and nation thinks about prevention by focusing on community activities and public policies that prioritize prevention right from the start. Contact local, state and national law makers about the importance of prevention programs.

Volunteer. Serve on a committee or board. We all play a role in raising children whether we are neighbors, educators, caregivers or family members.

Educate. Contact local school districts and faith communities about sponsoring classes for parents. Be a mentor to a new parent; share your skills with your neighbors. A healthy, nurturing environment for children is one of the best lifelong investments we can make.

Support. Get to know and support the children and families in your community. With the support of engaged communities and nurturing families, all of our children can thrive. Know the resources available in your community and how to connect families to them. Call the Parent Helpline at 1-800-CHILDREN.

Report. Recognize the signs and symptoms of child abuse. If you suspect child abuse and/or neglect, call 1-800-922-5330.

The Community Resource Library offers a wide variety of child and family-related information including parent tip cards and other materials. This information is available to professionals, parents and caregivers. There is no charge for printed CRL materials. To order materials from the CRL email us.

Early Head Start is a weekly home visitation program that works with expectant parents and parents of children under the age of three. Sponsored by KCSL, the program focuses on children’s health; safety and development; and assists parents in adjusting to their new role. Services are provided at no-cost to the family. KCSL's Early Head Start program is offered in Finney, Grant and Seward Counties.

KCSL offers eLearning, an online, instructor-led course on Strengthening Families through Positive Connections. eLearning provides unlimited geographic access and is designed to provide continuing education credit hours as well as meet professional licensing requirements. This course is free and available through a partnership with KCCTO, Inc. and Kansas Families and Schools Together, Inc.

To learn more or register for the Strengthening Families through Positive Connections course, click here. (This link will redirect to kccto.org.)

Foster parents, also referred to as resource families, provide temporary care for children who cannot remain in their home due to neglect, abuse or poor parental choices. Children requiring foster care range in age from infancy to 18 and come from a variety of ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. Some have special needs. Besides providing the daily basics of food, shelter and clothing, foster parents provide the care, stability and guidance all children need.

To learn more, or get started, contact a Family Service Representative through email or toll free at 877-530-5275.

The objectives of the conference include:

1. To provide information about exemplary models of prevention and intervention services for children and families.
2. To provide a networking opportunity for Kansans interested in the welfare of children.
3. To recognize individuals or organizations who have provided outstanding services to children.
4. To publicize the needs of children and families and the opportunities to meet those needs.
5. To provide certifiable training opportunities for individuals who work professionally providing services for the benefit of children and families

The Head Start program works with young children and their parents. The program, sponsored by the Kansas Children’s Service League, focuses on children’s health, nutrition, education and social development. Head Start helps children get a healthy start to learning.

Raising a child can be a challenge, especially for parents who are experiencing pressures such as unemployment, illness or limited parenting skills. Although many parents get the help they need, too many young families have nowhere to turn for support. KCSL offers Healthy Families Programs in 18 Kansas counties.

Healthy Families is a voluntary program that assists new parents who are overburdened by stress factors. Staff meet with the family regularly, usually once each week. This process begins during pregnancy and continues until the child is 3 to 5 years old.

Modeled after a program in Hawaii, this service has been proven successful in promoting healthy child development, parent/child interaction, preventing child abuse and neglect and helping families link with necessary community resources. Studies show families who participate in such programs are less likely to require the intervention of social services later in a child's life.

Whether you are facing an unplanned pregnancy and considering adoption, or hoping to adopt the baby of your dreams, From Heart to Home can help! If after reviewing the information on this site you have more questions or would like to talk with one of our professional staff, please call us:

• For birth parents: call toll-free 877-581-5437 to speak with a birth parent counselor.
• For prospective adoptive parents: call toll-free 877-530-5275 to speak with a customer care coordinator.

Information for Birth Parents
Information for Prospective Adoptive Parents

The program, which was first introduced by Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius, allocates funding to selected counties through the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund.

In addition to the building on Pre-K programs, this grant also requires a research-based curriculum be implemented into the classroom setting, participation in the Kansas Quality Rating System (KQRS) – a quality assurance and improvement process, and participation in a research component conducted by the University of Kansas.

The Kinship Navigator Program can assist grandparents or relatives in Sedgwick County raising children in navigating and overcoming the issues and barriers they may face when parenting the second time around. This program provides a case manager dedicated to supplying kinship caregivers with the services and benefits needed to care for the children in their home.

Kansas Law states that most professionals who work with children are “mandated reporters”, meaning they are required by law to report suspicion of child abuse or neglect. Kansas Children’s Service League has developed several training options to help mandated reporters understand signs of child abuse and neglect and the process for making a report.

Children, Youth and Family Counseling helps families build upon their strengths and discover alternative ways to manage family living. The Counseling department provides short-term therapy for children and families in Sedgwick county. Targeted Early Childhood Mental Health Services are also available.

Counseling services are for families with children and youth pre-birth to age 18. In order to keep services affordable, fees are adjusted for uninsured in accordance with the size and income level of the family.

Oasis is a free and voluntary program to families with children ages 10 through 17 who are at-risk for running away or who have already run away from home. The program is offered in Jackson, Jefferson, Shawnee and Wabaunsee Counties and is designed to prevent youth homelessness, out of home placement and to safely reunite children with their families. Crisis intervention services provided are aimed at preventing the youth from running away in the future.

The Parent Helpline is an anonymous, statewide, free, information and referral service available anytime, any day to parents, relatives, caregivers and professionals. To call the Parent Helpline, dial 1-800-CHILDREN.

KCSL offers a statewide network of support groups for resource families, parents, grandparents and other caregivers raising children. These support groups are designed to connect families with the support and resources they need to succeed.

Public and private partners are coming together quickly to make this project a priority because it is an evidenced-based, strengths-based approach to support families. Funding for The Period of PURPLE Crying® is provided by the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitations Services through a Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) grant; and the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund through Community Based Child Abuse Prevention (CBCAP) funds and the Early Childhood Block Grant. Additional support has been secured from the Kansas Health Foundation, the Junior League of Wichita, the Topeka Community Foundation, Early Head Start ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act), and numerous hospital foundations.