Supreme Court appoints members to Task Force on Permanency Planning

TOPEKA—The Kansas Supreme Court appointed two people to the Supreme Court Task Force on Permanency Planning and reappointed two others.

Their four-year terms began July 1 and end June 30, 2023.

The new members are:

• Kerrie Lonard, Lawrence, a guardian ad litem with Kansas Legal Services; and

• Vicki Ford, Kansas City, Kansas, a court services officer for the 29th Judicial District, composed of Wyandotte County.

The court reappointed:

• Kathy Armstrong, Overland Park, assistant director of legal services, Kansas Department for Children and Families; and

• Michelle Edwards, Emporia, executive director, Kansas CASA Association.

The Kansas Supreme Court established the working task force in 1984. It advises the court on ways to provide and improve the care of children who are under jurisdiction of the court.

Its responsibilities include:

• developing and implementing a strategic plan for child welfare oversight;

• collaborating with district courts, the Department for Children and Families, and Native American tribes in Kansas;

• developing and implementing statewide legal training; and

• reviewing federally funded child and family services.

Overall, the task force recommends improvements and suggests programs to help children placed in foster care find safe, permanent homes as quickly as possible.

The 18-member task force includes district court judges; district magistrate judges; lawyers; court-appointed guardians; prosecutors; and representatives from Indian tribal courts, state agencies, Court Appointed Special Advocates, citizen review boards, and mental health, behavioral health, and substance abuse treatment providers.