TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas welfare officials plan to have state staff perform all annual foster home inspections by midway through next year.

The Kansas Department for Children and Families updated lawmakers Wednesday on its efforts to respond to a highly-critical audit. DCF has been moving to take away annual inspections of foster homes from agency contractors, citing potential conflicts of interest.

DCF deputy general counsel Kaey Rogg said performing the inspections will require about 15 new DCF workers. He says the cash to pay the employees will come from the child placing agencies.

Lawmakers also questioned agency staff during a meeting of the Legislative Post Audit Committee about foster parent and social worker recruitment. Kansas has a near-record number of children in foster care — about 6,500.