US$1.8 million awarded to 10 communities to open family resource centers
TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) — Approximately $1.8 million in grants have been allocated to 10 Kansas communities to build family resource centers in their respective locations.
The Kansas Department for Children and Families created these grants to give Kansas families greater access to all available resources, which in turn would reduce the need for families to turn to DCF for assistance.
Laura Howard, secretary of the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, can improve the lives of families in Kansas, provide all the resources families need, and reduce the need for families in need.
“We know that if we can help build the skills needed for families to thrive, we can prevent families from having exposure to DCF, particularly the child welfare system,” said Secretary Laura Howard. “These centers will focus on parental resilience, social connections and important parenting and child development skills that we believe will result in fewer youth in the care system.”
| Agency | counties served | premium amount |
|---|---|---|
| Community Children’s Center | Douglas County | $208,300 |
| Kansas Family Advisory Network SE | Allen, Bourbon, Chautauqua, Cherokee, Crawford, Labette, Linn, Montgomery, Neosho, Osage and Wilson Counties | $208,300 |
| Kansas Family Advisory Network SW | Barton, Comanche, Edwards, Finney, Ford, Gray, Greeley, Harvey, Lyon, Marion, McPherson, Meade, Pawnee, Reno, Rice, Seward and Stafford counties | $208,300 |
| Kansas Children’s Service League | County Sedgwick | $208,333 |
| KU Project Adler | Wyandotte County | $208,095 |
| Live well NWKS | Cheyenne, Rawlins, Decatur, Norton, Sherman, Thomas, Sheridan, Graham, Wallace, Logan, Gove and Trego Counties | $208,300 |
| Pony Express | Marshall and Washington counties | $197,443 |
| Turner $202 | Wyandotte County; $202 | $84,000 |
| Urban League of Kansas | 67214 ZIP Code in Sedgwick County | $124,999 |
| USD 252 Lyon Co. | Lyon County communities of Neosho Rapids, Harford and Olpe | $106,142 |
| Total awarded: | $1,762,212 |
Grants awarded have three one-year renewal options if each community desires continued support. The funding runs until June 30, 2024.
The Office of Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly announced the grants awarded Wednesday, and Kelly said she strongly believes these grants could bring outstanding benefit to Kansas families.
“The centers that receive these grants serve as community centers with the sole purpose of supporting families in their own neighborhoods,” Gov. Laura Kelly said. “Easier access to programs and services, including job training, early childhood programs and nutrition services, is preparing Kansas families for success.”
The services that the Family Resource Centers offer are:
- Childcare resources and recommendations
- advisory
- Early Childhood Programs
- Multiple cooking, food bank and nutrition programs
- health screenings
- Home visit program
- Professional skills training
- legal advice
- literacy programs
- Parenting and Peer Groups
- playgroups
- youth leadership and peer groups
DCF will work with the Kansas Children’s Service League (KCSL) to build the Family Resource Center Network. KCSL is also commissioned to work with communities to create their resource center.
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