Oklahoma was the first state to join back in February, and on March 26, Kansas became the seventh to join the “A Home for Every Child” foster care initiative. Launched by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), it aims to achieve a 1:1 ratio of licensed foster homes to children in every state by focusing on recruitment, caregiver retention, and prevention services to keep families together.
Following the announcement that Oklahoma would be the first state to participate, ACF Assistant Secretary Alex J. Adams said, “ACF’s goal for ‘A Home for Every Child’ is straightforward: nationwide, we hope to have homes waiting on children instead of children waiting for homes,” said Assistant Secretary Adams. “Oklahoma has demonstrated how effective prevention can reduce entries into foster care, and their success should serve as a model for other states hoping to drive progress towards achieving a 1:1 ratio of foster homes to children in foster care. We are grateful for our partnership with Oklahoma to ensure we continue to center the best interests of children.”
According to ACF, for every 100 children currently entering foster care, only 57 licensed foster homes are available nationwide. This shortage creates logistical and safety challenges that work against what every child needs most: consistency, connection, and a stable path forward.
“Oklahoma’s leadership in ‘A Home for Every Child’ is a powerful step forward for children in foster care,” said Kerri Henderson, Foster Care Homes Director for Oklahoma. “At Saint Francis Ministries, we are proud to be part of a community working together to bring hope, healing, and lasting connections to every child. In our work every day, we see the difference a safe and supportive home can make in a child’s life. This initiative strengthens our mission of bringing hope and healing by ensuring every child in Oklahoma has the opportunity to belong to a family.”
While Kansas is the seventh state to join, it was the first state to receive ACF approval for its “A Home for Every Child” plan. According to Governor Laura Kelly, “By taking steps to eliminate barriers to safe, reliable foster homes, we’re setting more Kansas children up for long-term success and empowering them to live full, thriving lives in comfortable and supportive environments.”
ACF offered states the ability to voluntarily transition from existing Child and Family Services Review Program Improvement Plans into the “A Home for Every Child” pilot framework. This shift enables both Oklahoma and Kansas to become more outcome-focused and relies on data-driven accountability.
Texas Director Takes Part in Human Trafficking Panel
Saint Francis’ Texas Director of Reintegration, Jessica Hoskins, was invited to sit on a panel in February to discuss human trafficking in the Amarillo area and its relationship to foster care. She appeared alongside representatives from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and No Boundaries International (NBI), a non-profit organization focused on trauma recovery, training, and outreach regarding human trafficking, often partnering with community stakeholders to support survivors.
Saint Francis Ministries has been involved in human trafficking prevention for some time, operating rapid response teams in Kansas. On call around the clock, those teams respond when law enforcement suspects a youth may be a victim. They conduct compassionate assessments to determine whether trafficking has occurred, asking questions about forced actions, withheld wages, or manipulation through substances. If trafficking is confirmed, Saint Francis Ministries connects youth with targeted therapies, safe placements, and ongoing support to help them heal and avoid re-victimization.
In Texas, Saint Francis partners with local law enforcement and the Department of Family and Protective Services to identify and serve victims of human trafficking.
As part of the panel, Hoskins discussed parenting and the ways SFM protects children in care and supports their recovery if they have been trafficked.
“It is an honor to be able to sit with like-minded professionals and support education in our community,” said Hoskins.
