The Kansas Department for Children and Families has announced new contracts for foster care services across the state, and a new provider has been chosen for Sedgwick County.

EmberHope, formerly known as Youthville, formerly had the case management contract from 1997 to 2013.  It will replace Saint Francis Ministries, which will continue its work in other areas of the state.   EmberHope president and CEO Nickalila Sandate said the agency has served 11,873 Kansas children and the agency will be looking to expand its meaningful work in the contract.

TFI Family Services has been awarded the case management contracts for other areas of south central Kansas, along with southeast Kansas.   TFI currently provides services in these counties, including Butler, Cowley, Sumner, Kingman, Harper, Pratt, Barber, Greenwood and Elk counties.    TFI president and CEO Michael Patrick said in a press release that the agency has a steadfast commitment to strengthening children and families.    The agency said it places more than half of new referrals with relatives or non-related kin and 90 percent of youth served by the agency are in family-like settings.