Topeka ? The head of the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services says he plans a major initiative to boost adoptions of children in state custody.

SRS Secretary Rob Siedlecki told The Wichita Eagle he’d like to modify the “One Church, One Child” program that started in Chicago in the 1980s to recruit adoptive parents. That program encourages couples to adopt. Once they adopt, a church agrees to act as a support system, providing rides to activities and other help.

Siedlecki also said he’s planning a series of meetings throughout the state in October aimed at finding new ideas to reduce childhood poverty, neglect and abuse.