Over $34.5M in Grants Going to Domestic and Sexual Violence Programs, Children’s Advocacy Centers and CASA Programs

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has announced that $34,587,786 in state grants to strengthen and maintain services for adult and child victims and survivors of crime. The funding supports nonprofit organizations that provide services for victims and survivors of domestic and sexual violence as well as child abuse and neglect.

“Through these grants, we are providing crucial support to survivors of crime as they heal and move forward with their lives,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “It is essential that these nonprofit organizations have the resources they need to make Kansas a stronger and safer state.”

The funding for domestic violence and sexual assault services provides critical funds to domestic violence and sexual assault programs that offer shelter, advocacy, safety planning, outreach, and other support services for victims and survivors, as well as the statewide SafeLine Kansas crisis line. In addition, state funding supports training for community-based direct service providers to strengthen services for victims and survivors of domestic and sexual violence.  

The Children’s Advocacy Center grant funds support child-focused programs that bring together law enforcement, child protection services, prosecutors, medical professionals, and victim advocates to investigate and respond to child abuse. Grant funding is used to recruit and train staff to conduct child-sensitive forensic interviews, provide advocacy for child victims and their non-offending caregivers, and coordinate multidisciplinary teams to improve outcomes and strengthen services across systems.

Funding for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) supports local CASA programs that recruit, train, and supervise volunteers who advocate in court for children who have experienced abuse or neglect. Grant funding supports staff and volunteer training to help ensure judges have the information needed to make informed decisions in the best interests of each child.