Topeka, KS– Governor Laura Kelly today announced that 10 Kansas communities are receiving grants to assist with the creation of Family Resource Centers. These funds, granted by the Kansas Department for Children and Families, are part of its ongoing efforts to decrease the need for families to have formal contact with the agency.
“The centers receiving these grants serve as community hubs with the sole purpose of supporting families in their own neighborhoods,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Providing easier access to programs and services, including job skills training, early childhood programs, and nutritional services, sets Kansas families up for success.”
DCF awarded grants to:
| Agency | Counties Served | Award 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 | Sedgwick County | $208,333 |
| KU Project Eagle | 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 USD 202 | Wyandotte County; USD 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
“We know that if we can help build the skills necessary for families to succeed, we can prevent the need for families to have contact with DCF, especially the child welfare system,” Secretary Laura Howard said. “These centers will focus on parent resilience, social connections and important parent and child development skills which we believe will result in fewer youth in the foster care system.”
Family Resource Centers are designed for all families with services at no or low cost for participants. Examples of services and supports offered at a resource center include:
- Childcare resource and referral
- Counseling
- Early childhood programs
- Food bank, cooking, and nutrition programs
- Health screenings
- Home visiting program
- Job skills training
- Legal services
- Literacy programs
- Parent leadership and peer groups
- Play groups
- Youth leadership and peer groups
DCF partners with the Kansas Children’s Service League (KCSL) to administer the Family Resource Center network. KCSL will work with the communities to design and create their center. As the lead operator of the Parent Helpline 1-800-Children, KCSL offers important insights on parenting and caregiver resources that will help ensure the success of each Family Resource Centers.
Grants run through June 30, 2024, with three one-year options to renew.
