7 September 2023
TOPEKA (KSNT) – Governor Laura Kelly said more than $18 million will be awarded to provide services for adults and children impacted by sexual assault and domestic violence.
On Thursday, Kelly announced in a press release that $18,489,169 in state grants will be awarded to programs impacted by a 40% decrease in funding from the federal Victims of Crime Act Victim Assistance Grant Program.
“The services that children’s advocacy centers, court-appointed advocates, and domestic violence and sexual assault programs provide are an essential part of survivors getting the justice they deserve,” Kelly said. “These grants ensure communities across Kansas have the resources and services needed to assist crime victims in their time of need.”
The funding will come from the state general funds and go towards counseling, shelters, the statewide language accessible crisis line, safety planning, advocacy for sexual and domestic violence survivors and training for community-based direct service providers, according to a press release from the Office of the Governor.
Funds will go towards Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) programs, Children’s Advocacy Centers and be granted to organizations that help domestic violence and sexual assault victims. CASA programs give training to court-appointed volunteers who work with the courts and legal and child welfare professionals to help children who’ve been abused or neglected.
Under the state general fund, the Domestic Violence Association of Central Kansas had the largest sum of money granted with $1,119,543. $14,830,806 was awarded in total for the category.
For the children’s advocacy centers grant awards, the Child Advocacy Center of Sedgewick County was awarded the largest sum of money with $501,779. In total $3,095,311 was awarded to child advocacy centers.
CASA programs were awarded $563,052 in total with the Kansas CASA Association of Shawnee County receiving the largest sum of money with $120,000.
The Child Advocacy Centers respond to child abuse cases and hire staff to conduct interviews of sexual and physical abuse victims. To reach the statewide crisis line call 888-END-ABUSE (888-363-2287).
2024 Court Appointed Special Advocate Programs Grant Awards
CountyOrganization NameGrant AwardAllenCASA of the 31st Judicial District$7,321BourbonBourbon County CASA of the 6th Judicial District$7,783ButlerTri-County CASA$28,420CloudNorth Central Kansas CASA$9,637DouglasDouglas County CASA$23,888EllisCASA of the High Plains$5,300FinneySpirit of the Plains CASA$22,105FordCASA-Children Worth Saving$36,200FranklinCASA of the 4th Judicial District$4,977GearyCASA of the 8th Judicial District$24,341HarveyCASA: A Voice for Children$26,055JohnsonCASA of Johnson and Wyandotte Counties$93,660LeavenworthFirst Judicial District CASA Association$17,103LyonSOS, CASA of the Flint Hills$17,905RileySunflower Children’s Collective$33,550SalineChild Advocacy and Parenting Services$19,314SedgwickRoots and Wings, CASA of Sedgwick County$51,528ShawneeCASA of Shawnee County$13,965ShawneeKansas CASA Association$120,000TOTAL$563,052
2024 Children’s Advocacy Centers Grant Awards
CountyOrganization NameGrant AwardAllenHope Unlimited$104,050BartonFamily Crisis Center$159,704ButlerSunlight Children’s Services$226,683CloudNorth Central Kansas CASA$46,523CrawfordChildren’s Advocacy Center$98,023DouglasChild Advocacy Center of Douglas County$76,632FordMeadowlark House Child Advocacy Center$86,815HarveyHeart to Heart$128,783JohnsonSunflower House$368,059LeavenworthFirst Judicial District CASA Association$166,682LyonSOS$82,546RenoHorizons Mental Health Center$142,780RileySunflower Children’s Collective$121,063SalineChild Advocacy and Parenting Services$119,529ScottWestern Kansas Child Advocacy Center$398,681SedgwickChild Advocacy Center of Sedgwick County$501,779SedgwickChildren’s Advocacy Centers of Kansas$146,000ShawneeLifeHouse Child Advocacy Center$120,979TOTAL$3,095,311
2024 SGF for Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Grant Awards
CountyOrganization NameGrant AwardAllenHope Unlimited$507,512BartonFamily Crisis Center, Inc.$605,586ButlerFamily Life Center$166,826CrawfordSafehouse Crisis Center$502,319DouglasThe Sexual Trauma and Abuse Care Center$347,350DouglasThe Willow Domestic Violence Center$634,188EllisOptions: Domestic & Sexual Violence Services$545,296FinneyFamily Crisis Services$417,552FordCrisis Center of Dodge City$142,545HarveyHarvey Co. Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Task Force$768,264JohnsonSAFEHOME$916,016LeavenworthAlliance Against Family Violence$231,546LyonSOS$619,388RenoBrightHouse$455,883RileyCrisis Center$1,008,829SalineDomestic Violence Association of Central Kansas$1,119,543SedgwickCatholic Charities, Harbor House$498,810SedgwickStepStone$372,942SedgwickWichita Area Sexual Assault Center$715,473SedgwickWichita Family Crisis Center$633,646SewardLiberal Area Rape Crisis/Domestic Violence Services$418,187ShawneeKansas Coalition Against Sexual & Domestic Violence$957,862ShawneeYWCA Center for Safety & Empowerment$516,712WyandotteFriends of Yates$896,203WyandotteMetropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault$832,328TOTAL$14,830,806