The number of Kansas children in state custody has risen to all-time highs as the number of child abuse and neglect complaints also is climbing.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports about 7,000 children were in state custody at the beginning of June, including 6,168 in out-of-home foster care placement.

Kansas Children’s Alliance executive director Bruce Linhos says workers and government officials are struggling to find a cause for the increase.

An in-depth report by the Kansas Health Institute last month included comments from some advocates blaming state policies for straining poor families.

But a spokeswoman for the Kansas Department for Children and Families attributes the increase to heightened awareness and reporting of child abuse and neglect.