Kansas

Kansas is the home of approximately 2.8 million residents. Over the past four decades, birthrates have been steadily declining in Kansas, following national trends. Certain racial gaps still divide Kansas mothers, and in turn, render some more vulnerable than others. Over the years, federal and state governments have launched a variety of programs to close these racial gaps and alleviate the hardship of low-income mothers. Currently, divorce rates remain as a consistent obstacle for the well-being of many children in Kansas.

In 2005, 39,701 live births were recorded in Kansas, representing a birth rate of 14.5 per 1,000 population. Among those who gave birth in 2005, 76 percent received prenatal care that began in the first trimester of pregnancy, 19.4 percent began in the second trimester, and 3.5 percent in the third trimester; only 1.1 percent did not receive prenatal care at all. In the same year, the vast majority of Kansas live births were to white mothers (81.9 percent); a small percentage of these births were to black mothers (6.8 percent); and to mothers of other races (9.9 percent). This racial disparity is also extended to other aspects of mothering. Compared to white mothers, black mothers in Kansas are much more likely to experience lack of adequate prenatal care, preterm birth, and infant death; furthermore, their babies are almost twice as likely to be of low birth weight. These racial gaps suggest that many black mothers and their babies are vulnerable at multiple stages of life.

In order to advance the well-being of low-income mothers and their children, the state and federal government established a multipronged public assistance system. The Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant (MCH), a federal program designed to improve the health of women and children, is a prime example. Through closely coordinating several administrative agencies, the MCH aims to achieve several goals: provide quality, preconceptual health care for all women of reproductive age; reduce racial/ethnic disparity in adolescent pregnancy; monitor newborn health; and enroll hard-to-reach populations in Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance Program. In 2006 alone, the MCH served 113,020 Kansas residents, including 8,464 pregnant women, 40,686 infants under 1 year of age, 45,963 children and adolescents, and 7,124 children with special health care needs. In fiscal year 2008, federal and state governments granted $8,728,556 to MCH. In addition, federal and state governments also maintain [Page 616]employment support programs. Successful Families, for instance, is a program created to assist needy families in Kansas providing cash benefits for support and maintenance as well as job training and intensive case management. Together, Kansas Department of Health and Environment and Kansas Social and Rehabilitation Services supply most government health care and employment services.

In 2006, there were approximately 9,200 divorces in Kansas, for a divorce rate of 3.3 per 1,000 population, compared to a national rate of 2.1–6.7 per 1,000 population. Although divorce rates have been declining in Kansas (in 2007, 8,654 children were involved in divorces and annulments in Kansas) protecting minors' best interests remains a major challenge in the state.

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