Data compiled by the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare show that, of 56 SOUL finalizations statewide from July 2024 to March 2026, Saint Francis facilitated 23. That’s about 41 percent. To date, Kansas remains the only state to enact SOUL permanency, but the KU data will likely inspire other states to consider it seriously.
“A handful of other states are now exploring the possibility and have invited members of the Kansas team to share our experience with implementation,” said Holly Osborne, President of Kansas.
You may recall that Saint Francis Ministries’ Advocacy Team helped make history in 2024 with the passage of the SOUL Family Option, making Kansas the first state in the nation to adopt the permanency option that gives teens in foster care the opportunity to obtain legal permanency and transition into adulthood via a custodian of their choice.
The initiative grew from ideas advocated by young people aging out of the foster care system. Nationally, more than 20,000 teens in foster care age out without a loving, lifelong family each year. Yet they still need support to navigate the transition into successful, responsible adulthood.
The SOUL Family permanency option creates a circle of caring adults to provide Support, Opportunity, Unity, and Legal relationships for young people aged 16 years and older as they move from foster care to adulthood. Historically, foster care, reunification, guardianship, and adoption have been the only legal permanency options for young people in foster care. SOUL provides a fifth option by establishing a legal connection between a young person and at least one caring adult.
“It aligns directly with the SFM mission and our values, including innovation, empowerment, respect, and dignity,” said Independent Living Supervisor Jennifer Walters-Boesker. “I feel that SOUL highlights who we want to be as an agency. Our mission is to provide healing and hope to children and to transform lives, and the SOUL permanency option offers a new avenue to do that.”
Saint Francis recognized the value of this option early on and has been involved from the start. In 2022, Holly and Jennifer began meeting regularly with DCF (Department for Children and Families), legislators, grantees, community members, and young adults. They also served on the task force.
“For young people in care, SOUL permanency allows them a path to normalcy and a way out of the system when all too often they are accustomed to lingering in care until they’re eligible to age out,” said Jennifer. “It provides empowerment in their voice and for what they want, as well as providing benefits that are offered to those who reach permanency and not just those who don’t. Too often, while young people are in care, they don’t feel like they get a say or are given options for what they want. SOUL permanency does just that, and it also means someone wants to be there for them not only now but for the rest of their life; and that’s what hope is all about.”
The KU SOUL process evaluation includes a lot of interesting data; we’ve attached PDFs below for you to review at your leisure.
