Kansas child death report highlights fentanyl death ‘surge,’ child welfare woes • Kansas Reflector
Kansas child death report highlights fentanyl death ‘surge,’ child welfare woes Kansas Reflector
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Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Child Deaths in Kansas
Introduction
The number of Kansas children who died from fentanyl overdoses reached a three-year high in 2022, according to an annual report on child deaths statewide. The report highlights the need for preventative services and improvements to Kansas’ child welfare system.
Child Deaths in Kansas
A total of 389 Kansas children died in 2022, with the majority of deaths being due to natural causes. However, the report identifies room for improvement in preventative measures, especially for children involved with Child Protective Services at the Kansas Department for Children and Families.
- 52% of Kansas children who died of unnatural causes had a history with Child Protective Services.
Fentanyl-Related Deaths
The report reveals a surge in fentanyl-related deaths among Kansas children in the past five years. In 2022, 13 out of 16 drug-related deaths among Kansas children involved fentanyl. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid used for pain mitigation and is often illegally manufactured as counterfeit pills. Fentanyl overdose deaths in the United States have risen dramatically since 2012.
- 33 Kansas children died from fentanyl between 2020 and 2022, compared to zero deaths in 2018 and 2019.
- Kansas’ five most populous counties have a drug-related death rate 10 times higher than the rest of the state.
Child Welfare System and Child Deaths
The report highlights the connection between child deaths and the child welfare system. It emphasizes the need for resources to provide thorough and consistent investigations into allegations of abuse and neglect.
- 36% of child deaths between 2019 and 2022 had a history with the child welfare system.
- More than 70% of children who died of a homicide had involvement with Child Protective Services.
Recommendations
The report recommends several actions to improve child welfare and prevent child deaths:
- Reconsider the policy that allows newborns and infants to remain in unsafe homes.
- Ensure compliance with child abuse and neglect prevention.
- Increase access to affordable and high-quality child care.
- Adhere to proper welfare investigation standards.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators in the Article
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 4: Quality Education
- SDG 5: Gender Equality
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
- SDG 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes.
- SDG 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.
- SDG 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.
- SDG 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Number of Kansas children who died from fentanyl overdoses
- Percentage of Kansas children with a history of involvement with Child Protective Services before their death
- Number of fentanyl-related deaths among Kansas children
- Drug-related death rate in Kansas’ five most populous counties compared to the rest of the state
- Percentage of child deaths with a history of involvement with the child welfare system
- Percentage of children who died of a homicide with current or past DCF Child Protective Services involvement
- Number of child deaths resulting from abuse and neglect
- Compliance with child abuse and neglect prevention
- Access to affordable and high-quality child care
- Adherence to proper welfare investigation standards
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | SDG 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being. | – Number of Kansas children who died from fentanyl overdoses – Number of fentanyl-related deaths among Kansas children |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | SDG 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes. | – Percentage of Kansas children with a history of involvement with Child Protective Services before their death |
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | SDG 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation. | – Percentage of children who died of a homicide with current or past DCF Child Protective Services involvement |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | SDG 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status. | – Percentage of Kansas children with a history of involvement with the child welfare system – Compliance with child abuse and neglect prevention – Access to affordable and high-quality child care |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | SDG 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children. | – Number of child deaths resulting from abuse and neglect – Adherence to proper welfare investigation standards |
Source: kansasreflector.com
