Wichita ? An investigation into how state agencies responded to two young girls found starving in their Wichita home has prompted officials to institute reforms in Kansas’ child-protection system, the chief counsel for Gov. Kathleen Sebelius said.

Counsel Matt All said the investigation, which is looking at how the child-protection system responded to reports of suspected abuse at the home of the two girls, ages 6 and 7, already has caused several state workers to be disciplined.

“It’s not our objective with those changes to pull kids out of homes,” All said. “It’s to more accurately identify which kids are in danger – that’s where I found the weakness in the system.”

On July 31, Sebelius ordered the investigation into what she called the state’s failure to help the Wichita girls, who police say were starved and tortured for months.

Prosecutors have charged the girls’ father, Alex Wood, and stepmother, Jennifer Wood, with felony child abuse.

The charges allege that the girls were tortured, beaten and inhumanely punished over a 10-month period. Jennifer Wood also is charged with aggravated battery. Police said the girls had become severely emaciated after being deprived of food and water.

The custody case involving the girls continues. District Judge James Burgess on Tuesday ruled an extensive document from the Wichita office of Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services could not be made public because divulging the information would reveal too much of the girls’ private lives.

In the future, All said, staff would receive additional training on child abuse, spend more time investigating the causes of any reported injuries and place more emphasis on considering previous abuse allegations, which could suggest an ongoing problem.

Sebelius also plans to build a network of statewide child advocacy centers by 2011, to be financed through increased state funds, All said.

SRS declined to comment on the case.

One legislator said the reforms left something to be desired.

“We should already be following up when there’s an injury,” said Rep. Brenda Landwehr, R-Wichita. “This sounds like lip service.”