TOPEKA — The head of the state Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services said he plans a major religious-based plan to increase adoptions of children in state custody. SRS secretary Rob Ssiedlecki said he would like to modify the “One-Church, One-Child” program that started in Chicago in the 1980s to recruit adoptive parents. It provides training to encourage couples to adopt. Once they adopt, the couple’s church agrees to act as a support system, providing rides to activities and help when it is needed. Some other states use similar programs, he said. Siedlecki also said he’ll hold a series of meetings to seek ideas to reduce childhood poverty, neglect and abuse. He said that he’ll bring in national experts for the meetings in October. He compared the children’s tour to the recent statewide Medicaid reform meetings statewide.
Monday, Aug. 22, 1 p.m.
