Governor Renews Effort To Consolidate Kansas Social Welfare Programs Into One Agency

By Noah Taborda, the Kansas Reflector

January 11, 2021

TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly announced plans Monday to renew an effort toward forming a single agency that would absorb social welfare programs from two state agencies.

The governor said she plans to file a reorganization order creating the Kansas Department of Human Services. The new agency would include current services at the Department for Children and Families and the Department for Aging and Disability Services. Those services include oversight of the state’s beleaguered foster care system and four state hospitals.

The governor said this proposed consolidation reaffirms her commitment to vulnerable Kansans.

“Creating the Department of Human Services ensures Kansas families and individuals have easier access to critical services and improves engagement between our service centers, clients, and local stakeholders by creating a single point of entry for those accessing a variety needs,” Kelly said.

In January 2020, the governor proposed a similar reorganization — but the effort died when the House voted 82-35, mostly along party lines, against the proposition. Kelly hopes the renewed effort will gain the necessary support in the 2021 legislative session, which starts Monday.

Kelly said she would submit the executive order for reorganization by Jan. 21. Legislators will have 60 days to review the proposal.

Kelly’s administration did not indicate if the new agency would include the juvenile justice services of the Department of Corrections, as was included in the 2020 proposal.

The Democratic governor’s proposed consolidation would reverse an initiative by Republican Gov. Sam Brownback to split a single agency into DCF and KDADS. Under Kelly’s administration, Laura Howard already serves as secretary of both DCF and KDADS.

“This is not going to be business as usual,” Howard said. “This new combined agency provides us the opportunity to modernize systems for youth, families and the elderly. KDHS means less bureaucracy standing between clients and the services they need.”

Advocating last year for the order, Howard said the reorganization would help streamline services for children in the state’s child welfare system. In rejecting the order, House Republicans said they were not able to see how the new agency would improve the situation.

If neither the House nor Senate were to act this time around, the reorganization would take effect July 1.

“I look forward to collaborating with communities across the state to guarantee individuals have seamless access to the supports and services they need to achieve their goals and to make sure we are walking alongside families as they address their challenges head-on,” Howard said.

The Kansas Reflector seeks to increase people's awareness of how decisions made by elected representatives and other public servants affect our day-to-day lives. We hope to empower and inspire greater participation in democracy throughout Kansas.