We believe keeping our community informed of what is happening in Kansas is important. In this issue, you will find the following:
Foster Parent Highlight - A look into one of our selfless foster parents' lives.
Staff Highlights - Meet some of the individuals who make up our amazing staff.
Program Highlights - Stay up to date on some of TFI's initiatives in Kansas.
By the Numbers - Learn how Kansas is working to meet outcomes and goals.
Corey and Brandy Craig
Corey and Brandy Craig started fostering in 2019 as a NRKIN (non-relative kinship) placement for a specific child and eventually converted their license to general foster care to accept placement of other children in care. Over the years, Corey and Brandy have continually accepted placements of harder-to-place teen girls with great success. Case teams frequently ask if the Craig’s have an open bed because they want to fill it. Within the last couple of years, Corey and Brandy switched from only taking teen girls to taking large sibling sets to prevent them from being placed in multiple homes. During this switch, they also adopted one of their long-time placements and made her a permanent member of their family. Corey and Brandy also participate in MAPP discussion panels for upcoming foster parents.
Recently, Corey and Brandy expressed their gratitude for the TFI staff that support them:
"Thank you for being the kind of people this system—and these children—so desperately need. We are so incredibly grateful for you."
GROW NURTURING FAMILIES
GNF Making a Difference...
In October 2025, Grow Nurturing Families (GNF) joined the Kansas Department for Children and Families’ Prevention Boosting Reintegration pilot in Wichita, expanding Family First services to support families nearing reunification from foster care. GNF partners with EmberHope to provide Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), helping parents and children (ages 2–7) build stronger bonds through structured interactions during visits and beyond. After reunification, families continue PCIT and receive ongoing support from GNF staff and permanency teams to ensure stability and prevent re-entry into foster care. The pilot runs through June 2026, with the goal of demonstrating the value of extending prevention services to families in transition and strengthening Kansas’ permanency efforts.
GNF is currently at 60% capacity for our program.
GNF has maintained 100% children in their homes in FY26.
To learn more about Grow Nurturing Families and the difference it is making, check out the video below.
KANSAS PERMANENCY
KS Permanency Changing Lives...
A youth reintegrated into their father’s home in November 2025, after being discharged from a Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF). The youth had previously been removed from the home in February 2024, briefly reintegrated in April 2024 and removed again in October 2024 due to behavioral challenges that led to juvenile charges. After entering a PRTF in March 2025, the youth made significant progress. Both parents remained engaged through weekly family therapy and developed a stronger understanding of the youth’s needs. Ongoing supports—including Mental Health Case Management, Community Developmental Disability Organization services, and TFI aftercare—were put in place to promote continued stability. This outcome highlights strong collaboration between the family and service providers.
KANSAS CLINICAL
Kansas Clinical Building Connections...
Family Preservation Services (FPS) received a referral for a young family living in a hotel after being evicted. They struggled financially, had difficulty maintaining the room and were initially hesitant to engage in services. The FPS Team worked persistently to build rapport and provide intensive case management and therapy. Over two referral periods, the family showed strong resilience—securing stable housing with a fenced yard and leaving the hotel. Over the next six weeks, they maintained a safe, clean home and created a nurturing environment for their child. Both parents improved their mental health, adopted de-escalation strategies and enhanced personal hygiene. Their child also thrived, appearing cleaner and meeting developmental milestones. The family’s progress in housing stability, communication and coping skills reflects meaningful, sustained positive change.
Latricia Howell
This month, we’re happy to highlight permanency support worker Latricia Howell. Howell works tirelessly to meet each child's physical, mental and emotional needs, always aiming for a stable and loving future—whether through reunification, adoption or independent living. She juggles paperwork, coordinates services, transportation and appointments with care and compassion. Howell credits her success to the amazing team she has, especially Susan Ratzlaff and other mentors. With a background in vet tech and neurology, she found her true calling in this work, guided by the belief that "the rearview mirror is there so we can leave the past behind and shape our future." Her passion and kindness truly make our team stronger—thank you, Latricia, for all you do!
Jillian Esterly
Jillian Esterly has demonstrated exceptional performance and professionalism, making her highly deserving of Permanency Case Manager of the Quarter. In the approximately five months she has managed a caseload, Jillian has not submitted a single late court report or case plan, directly contributing to improved outcomes for the Winfield office and the Agency as a whole. Through her consistent timeliness and strong adherence to policy, Jillian successfully passed a caseload audit and has played a key role in strengthening TFI’s standing with the courts. She completed all required trainings on her Individual Training Plan ahead of schedule, despite having less than six months of employment. Jillian consistently goes above and beyond by volunteering for on-call coverage and providing shadowing and hands-on support to newer employees. She has built strong, collaborative relationships within the office and is always willing to teach others how to complete tasks accurately and efficiently, making her a valued team member and a positive influence on office culture.
Stay tuned for our next Family Focus Newsletter in May!
TFI Family of Companies, 618 Commercial Street, Emporia, KS
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