The Kansas foster care system is introducing a groundbreaking initiative to support older youth in care, thanks in part to the contributions of Nykia Gatson, a former foster child. Kansas is the first state in the nation to offer the SOUL Family legal permanency option, which allows foster youth aged 16 and older to choose a trusted adult—regardless of blood relation—to guide them into adulthood. This option, created by House Bill 2536 and signed into law by Gov. Laura Kelly in April 2023, aims to provide stability and avoid the uncertainty of moving from one foster home to another.
SOUL, which stands for Support, Opportunity, Unity, and Legal Relationships, is designed to involve youth actively in the decision-making process regarding their future. Gatson, who is part of the group integrating youth perspectives into the SOUL model, emphasized the importance of engaging young people in these critical discussions.
At the same time, Kansas is working to address broader issues within its foster care system, particularly for older and disabled youth who struggle to find permanent placements. Efforts include the development of therapeutic foster homes, which offer high-level care for children with medical or behavioral needs. These homes aim to provide temporary care while preparing children to transition to long-term family placements. However, the overall permanency rate in Kansas remains a challenge, as foster children in the state move more frequently than the federal standard.
Kansas officials, including DCF Secretary Laura Howard, have expressed optimism about the SOUL Family option as a way to improve stability for older foster youth. The program is still in its early stages, with initial test cases being identified, but the hope is that it will lead to more permanent and meaningful relationships for foster children as they transition into adulthood.