INTRODUCTION
This document was published by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Bureau for Children, Youth and Families, 900 S.W. Jackson, Topeka, KS 66612-1290, toll-free 1-888-744-4825. It was published in compliance with the amendments to K.S.A. 65-6701, known as the "Woman's Right-to-Know Act," as published in the Kansas 1997 Session Laws, Chapter 10. This directory is published for informational purposes only. The State of Kansas does not necessarily endorse the agencies listed herein and does not directly or indirectly promote, exclude or discourage the use of any agency or service in this directory.
By calling or visiting the agencies and offices in the directory you can find out about alternatives to abortion, assistance to make an adoption plan for your baby, and/or locate public and private agencies that offer medical and financial help during pregnancy, during childbirth and while you are raising your child.
"Many public and private agencies exist to provide counseling and information on available srevices. You are strongly urged to seek their assistance to obtain guidance during your pregnancy. In addition, you are encourged to seek information on abortion services, alternatives to abortion, including adoption, and resources available to post-partum mothers. The law requires that your physician or the physician's agent provide the enclosed information." K.S.A. 65-6701 as amended and published in the Kansas 1997 Session Laws, Chapter 10.
KANSAS LAW
- It is unlawful for any individual to coerce a woman to undergo an abortion;
- Any physician who performs an abortion upon a woman without her informed consent may be liable to her for damages;
- Kansas law permits adoptive parents to pay costs of prenatal care, childbirth and neonatal care.
MEDICAL ASSISTANCE BENEFITS FOR PRENATAL CARE, CHILDBIRTH AND NEONATAL CARE
You may or may not qualify for financial help for prenatal (pregnancy), childbirth and neonatal (newborn) care, depending on your income. If you qualify, programs such as the state's medical assistance program, called Medicaid, will pay or help pay the cost of doctor, clinic, hospital and other related medical expenses to help you with prenatal care, childbirth delivery services and care for your newborn baby. Contact the health department and the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services offices in your county.
THE FATHER'S RESPONSIBILITY
The father of a child has a legal responsibility to provide for the support, educational, medical and other needs of that child. In Kansas that responsibility includes child support payments to the child's mother or legal guardian. A child has rights of inheritance from their father and may be eligible through him for benefits such as life insurance, Social Security, pension, veteran's or disability benefits. Further, the child benefits from knowing the father's medical history and any potential health problems that can be passed genetically.
Paternity can be established in Kansas by two methods:
- The father and mother, at the time of birth, can sign forms provided by the hospital acknowledging paternity and the father's name is added to the birth certificate.
- A legal action can be brought in a court of law to determine paternity and establish a child support order.
Issues of paternity effect your legal rights and the rights of the child. More information concerning paternity establishment and child support may be obtained from any regional office of the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services, Division of Child Support Enforcement.
ORDERING INFORMATION
Individuals may call the Kansas Department of Health and Environment's toll free line at 1-888-744-4825 to receive a copy of this directory or of the handbook, "If You are Pregnant." Service providers (e.g., physicians, hospitals, abortion clinics) may obtain copies and certification forms by calling toll free 1-888-744-4825.
