Audit Finds KDHE Designed Good System for Child Care and
Shows Improvements

A Legislative Post Audit of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment's (KDHE) Child Care Program finds the department has designed a good system for overseeing child care providers, showing improvements regarding oversight of child care providers since a 1997 audit. The agency regulates more than 11,000 childcare facilities and day care homes.

"KDHE is committed to providing a regulatory program that protects Kansas's children," said Roderick L. Bremby, KDHE Secretary. "We are continuously working to improve our system and welcome the recommendations offered in the audit."

Since a 1997 Legislative Post Audit, KDHE has improved in 7 of 9 areas, including efforts regarding enforcement actions. Enforcement actions have increased by 250 percent. In FY 04, KDHE issued 478 administrative orders issued, along with seven requests for injunctive relief, and 2,328 Notices of Non-Compliance.

The audit determined the majority of KDHE inspections were handled appropriately. Specifically, 88 percent of annual inspections were on time, and 85 percent of follow up inspections were on time.

The audit found KDHE's enforcement philosophy is consistent with other states, in that we regulate the same types of facilities. In fact, Kansas regulates more small day cares than other states. In addition, Kansas has exceeded the adequate availability national standard of 25 slots per 100 children and is currently at 26 slots per 100 children.

Some of the concerns in the audit were addressed in April of this year when KDHE installed a new computer system for improved management information. This system will also address some of the recommendations to be implemented.

The new computer system has corrected a situation in which 8,700 background checks did not get completed. They are now being completed. It is relevant to note that only a very small number of people (approximately .2 of 1 percent) who undergo background checks are found to have committed an offense.

Auditors recommend doing fewer background checks, specifically for renewal licenses where individuals have already been checked in previous years.

KDHE is reviewing the audit recommendations for improving the regulation process and for refocusing efforts/efficiencies and will study the recommendations further. Some recommendations, such as corrections to the background check system have already been implemented, others will be implemented soon, such as new management reports and tracking systems to improve the regulation process.

Other recommendations require additional review to determine the best method in which to accomplish the goals, including the use of a risk based system for enforcement purposes and issues related to cross training inspectors from KDHE and SRS who work on abuse/neglect investigations.

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