The federal Child and Family Service Review was performed in Kansas two years ago.

“We were one of the first states to go through it,” said state Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services Secretary Janet Schalansky.

At the time, Kansas was found to be out of compliance in five of the seven areas measured.

“We still have a lot to do, but I think it’s clear that improvements are being made,” Schalansky said. “We have a plan in place; it’s being monitored regularly.”

According to the standards cited in the reviews, 32 percent of children eligible for adoption are to be adopted within 24 months.

“We’re at 52 percent,” Schalansky said.

Also, the reviews call for no more than 8.6 percent of the children exiting foster care to re-enter the system within a year.

“We’re at 3.8 percent,” Schalansky said. “We’re very proud of that.”

Schalansky said Kansas was “headed in the right direction” on meeting the standard for reuniting 76.2 percent of the children in foster care with their families within 12 months.

“We’re at 43.2 percent, statewide” she said.