TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The head of the Kansas Department for Children and Families is defending the agency’s efforts to ensure the safety of children in the foster care system.

The Wichita Eagle  reports that agency Secretary Phyllis Gilmore spoke Tuesday to the House Committee on Children & Seniors. The appearance came less than a week after another committee approved an audit of the agency.

Gilmore called the state’s foster care system one of the safest in the nation.

A November report showed five children died in the foster care system during the 2015 fiscal year, which ended in June. Only one death was attributed to maltreatment. Other reasons for fatalities included illness and car accidents.