Federal grant to put tablets in the hands of Kansas’ foster families

tablet iPad

taKansas’ KVC Health Systems, one of the State’s two foster care contractors, has been awarded a $516,600 federal grant to put tablets in the hands of some 850 foster families in eastern Kansas and Kansas City.

The devices will allow children in foster care to have a direct link to behavioral healthcare services such as therapy and ongoing education videos.

“Foster parents provide a tremendous service to children in need of care,” Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) Secretary Phyllis Gilmore said. “This is one more tool that will help them provide the best foster care possible. We are grateful to KVC for utilizing this technology.”

The tablets also deliver State-required training to foster parents.KVC’s MyLink is a robust, HIPAA-compliant video conferencing program that uses iPads to give children in foster care increased access to therapeutic and crisis intervention services. On the other hand, the tablets also deliver State-required training to foster parents.

The program was launched last year, with 160 foster families receiving the technology in West Virginia and Kentucky. KVC provides services to families in Kansas, Nebraska, West Virginia and Kentucky.

“This KVC MyLink expansion will not only change everyday life for thousands of children and families; it also has the potential to change the trajectory of some young people’s lives forever,” B. Wayne Sims said, President and CEO of KVC Health Systems.

[Via: Hays Post]