Several southeast Kansas agencies will share in part of more than $32 million in state grant funding intended to help adult and child survivors of crime.

 

Hope Unlimited in Iola and the Safehouse Crisis Center in Pittsburg will each receive more than $800,000 in funding through the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Grant Awards Program. Those agencies provide support services, outreach, and training for those serving survivors of sexual and domestic violence. Both agencies will receive an additional $130,000 in Children's Advocacy Center funding to help investigate and respond to child abuse.

The Court Appointed Special Advocates programs in Allen, Bourbon, and Cowley counties will each receive about $15,000 to help with the continuation of those programs to help them recruit and train volunteers to advocate in court for abused and neglected children.

 

The awards were announced on Thursday by Kansas Governor Laura Kelly. Kelly stated that combating crime is not only a safety issue, but it is a public health and quality-of-life issue for survivors.