The Kansas foster care system has been the subject of numerous heartbreaking stories as a surge in the number of children entering foster care strained the capabilities of the system and placed children's safety in jeopardy. While progress has been made in recent years, a lot of work remains.

Laura Howard, secretary of the Department for Children and Families and the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, is focused on improving outcomes for children in state custody. She joins Sherman Smith to discuss her work monitoring approximately 6,800 kids in the Kansas foster care system, as well as support programs for parents and families.