Supreme Court appoints members to Task Force on Permanency Planning

TOPEKA—The Kansas Supreme Court appointed two people to the Supreme Court Task Force on Permanency Planning and reappointed three others.

Kristen Powell, Wichita, was appointed to a four-year term to begin July 1 and end June 30, 2025. She succeeds Daniel Martin, Topeka, whose term expires June 30.

Caitlyn Eakin, Great Bend, was appointed to complete the unexpired term of Vanessa Dudley-Miller, Topeka. She will serve through June 30, 2023.

The court reappointed:

• District Magistrate Judge Debra Anderson, who serves in Norton County of the 17th Judicial District;

• Kansas Court of Appeals Judge Kathryn Gardner; and

• Morgan Hall, Topeka.

They will serve four-year terms ending June 30, 2025.

The Supreme Court established the working task force in 1984. It advises the court on ways to provide and improve the care of children who are under jurisdiction of the court. Its responsibilities include:

• developing and implementing a strategic plan for child welfare oversight;

• collaborating with district courts, the Kansas Department for Children and Families, and Native American tribes in Kansas;

• developing and implementing statewide legal training; and

• reviewing federally funded child and family services.

Overall, the task force recommends improvements and suggests programs that help children placed in foster care find safe, permanent homes as quickly as possible.

The 18-member task force includes district court judges; district magistrate judges; lawyers; court-appointed guardians; prosecutors; and representatives from Indian tribal courts, state agencies, Court Appointed Special Advocates, citizen review boards, and mental health, behavioral health, and substance abuse treatment providers.

Other members of the task force are:

• District Judge Jeffry Larson, chair, of the 5th Judicial District, composed of Chase and Lyon counties;

• Kathy Armstrong, Topeka;

• District Magistrate Judge Jenifer Ashford, serving in the 10th Judicial District, which is Johnson County;

• Jeff Cowger, Topeka;

• Brian Dempsey, Topeka;

• Deb Dickerhoof, Emporia;

• Sandra Dixon, Lawrence;

• Vicki Ford, Kansas City;

• Chris Halbert, Holton;

• Chief Judge Amy Harth of the 6th Judicial District, composed of Bourbon, Linn, and Miami counties;

• District Judge Kellie Hogan of the 18th Judicial District, which is Sedgwick County;

• District Magistrate Judge Kevin Kimball, serving in Franklin County of the 4th Judicial District;

• Kerri Lonard, Topeka;

• Kathy Ray, Topeka; and

• District Judge Jane Wilson of the 29th Judicial District, which is Wyandotte County.