The Kansas Department for Children and Families is awarding new grants to help keep children safely with their families and out of the foster care system.

The grants will fund 12 prevention programs through 10 provider agencies, offering services such as mental health care, substance use treatment, parenting education and support for relatives caring for children.

DCF says the programs have already helped more than 8,300 Kansas children remain safely with their families since 2019, when Kansas became one of the first states to implement the federal Family First Prevention Services Act.

The new grants take effect July first, 2027, and will have an annual budget of approximately 23-million dollars. About half of that funding will come from the Kansas State General Fund, with the remainder provided through federal matching funds.

State officials say the investment will help strengthen families and prevent crises before children need foster care.