The Kansas Department for Children and Families Announces $1.1 Million Investment
to Strengthen Family Resource Centers Across Kansas
8/7/2026
Topeka, Kan. – As part of its ongoing commitment to strengthen families and prevent the need for formal system involvement, the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) is awarding grants to nine agencies across the state to support 10 Family Resource Centers, community-based hubs designed to assist families before challenges escalate into crises.
Family Resource Centers bring together a range of services in one place, such as parenting support, child and youth development activities, and access to physical or mental health resources. Services are typically offered at low or no cost, making them easier for families to access.
“Family Resource Centers offer access to resources and assistance when families may need them most,” said DCF Secretary Laura Howard. “By connecting families to services, building resilience, and meeting needs early, we can help keep more children safely at home and continue to reduce the need for foster care.”
The work of Family Resource Centers aligns with DCF’s commitment to the Administration for Children and Families’ pilot initiative “A Home for Every Child” by emphasizing prevention, family strengthening, and keeping children safely with their families whenever possible. This approach reflects ACF’s broader goal of creating stable, supportive home environments and reducing the need for out-of-home placements through services that build resilience and self-sufficiency
DCF is awarding a total of $1,101,905 in grants to the following agencies:
Agency
| Counties Served
| Award Amount
|
Community Children’s Center
| Douglas
| $125,000
|
Goodwill Industries of Kansas – two sites
| 67217 and 67204 zip codes in Sedgwick
| $180,714.60
|
Kansas Children’s Service League
| Sedgwick
| $125,000
|
The Layne Project 4 Families
| Johnson
| $125,000
|
LiveWell Northwest Kansas
| Cheyenne, Rawlins, Decatur, Norton, Sherman, Thomas, Sheridan, Graham, Wallace, Logan, Gove, Trego
| $125,000
|
SENT, Inc.
| Shawnee
| $124,999.99
|
SparkWheel, Inc
| Neosho – USD 413
| $125,000
|
Turner USD 202
| Wyandotte – USD 202
| $89,274.89
|
The grant period for all nine agencies runs from July 1, 2027-June 30, 2028, with three one-year options to renew. The grants are completely funded through the State General Fund.
DCF partners with the Kansas Children’s Service League (KCSL) to administer the Family Resource Center network. As the lead operator of the Parent Helpline, 1-800-Children, KCSL offers important insights on parenting and offers caregiver resources that will help ensure the success of each Family Resource Center.
Representatives of the agencies receiving Family Resource Center grants shared the following statements:
LiveWell Northwest Kansas
“This funding supports our commitment to providing wraparound support for families, including services we provide or referrals to other agencies in Northwest Kansas,”
said Travis Rickford, executive director, LiveWell Northwest Kansas. “We especially look forward to partnering with local community organizations to provide concrete goods (e.g., cleaning supplies, hygiene items, over-the-counter medications) for families, as well as important home visiting and health support services
Turner School District, U.S.D. 202
“We are grateful for the continued support of the Kansas Department for Children and Families through this grant, which allows Turner Early Childhood Family Resource Center to expand opportunities for our youngest learners and extend our reach to more families throughout the community. This investment supports a key district goal of ensuring every child enters kindergarten ready to learn and thrive,”
said Jason Dandoy, superintendent, Turner School District U.S.D. 202. “Through high-quality early learning experiences and strong family partnerships, we are helping children build the foundational skills needed for long-term academic success. We look forward to continuing this important work and expanding on the positive outcomes made possible through this partnership.”
Goodwill Industries of Kansas
“This grant will allow us to meet families where they are and support parents as they work toward a better future for themselves and their children. At Goodwill, we know that when parents have access to education, skills training, and workforce opportunities, the impact reaches far beyond the individual – it strengthens entire families,”
said Goodwill Industries of Kansas President/CEO Laura Ritterbush. “These Family Resource Centers will help remove barriers, connect parents to the tools they need to succeed, and create pathways to stable employment. By empowering parents today, we’re helping ensure brighter, more secure futures for the next generation of Kansans.”
SENT, Inc.
“SENT believes families are strongest when care is coordinated, accessible, and rooted in trusted relationships. Family Resource Centers create the kind of one-stop support system that helps reduce barriers for families seeking resources, guidance, and stability before challenges become crises,”
said Johnathan Sublet, Founder & Executive Director, SENT, Inc. “We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with the Kansas Department for Children and Families in developing SENT’s Family Resource ‘One-Stop Shop’ Center and in helping strengthen this model across Kansas. When families can access care in a coordinated way, hope remains an option.”
Community Children’s Center
“Community Children's Center is thrilled to receive funding in support of our Family Resource Center. FRCs strengthen communities by connecting families to essential services and resources that promote stability, well-being, and long-term success,”
said Kim Polson, executive director, Community Children’s Center. “We are proud to serve our community in this capacity!”
SparkWheel
“SparkWheel is grateful for the opportunity to establish a Family Resource Center in the Chanute Public School District. This investment strengthens our ability to support families before challenges become crises by connecting them to resources, building resilience, and helping children thrive at home, in school, and in the community,”
said Malissa Martin, president & CEO, SparkWheel.
Kansas Children’s Service League
“We are excited to work with and support the Family Resource Centers in Kansas. Each center works within the Strengthening Families Framework, which ensure best practice standards are implemented. It is a commitment to high quality service delivery which increases family stability, enhances child development and reduces child abuse and neglect,”
said Gail Cozadd, CEO of Kansas Children’s Service League.
U.S.D. 252 Southern Lyon County
“Strong families are the foundation of strong schools and strong communities. We appreciate DCF's investment in helping families access support and resources close to home,”
said Ryan Muhlig, superintendent U.S.D. 252 Southern Lyon County.
The Layne Project 4 Families
“The Layne Project 4 Families, Inc. is honored and grateful to be a grant award recipient for the 2027 - 2028 year. We are truly humbled that DCF believes in the day-to-day work we do with children and families,”
said Lisa Knight, executive director, The Layne Project 4 Families. “Our mission is to protect childhoods by supporting families experiencing parental separation. We know this can be a devastating time for families, and the many transitions that can come with parental separation have potential to greatly impact children and families in some of the worst ways. Our goal is to provide support to families so that the impact might be less difficult – especially for the children. We believe in partnering with families, the community, and the judicial system to accomplish this goal.”
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The Kansas Department for Children and Families’ (DCF) mission is to protect children, strengthen families, and promote adult self-sufficiency. DCF’s more than 35 service centers across the state offer a wide range of support services, including food, utility, child care assistance, child support services, and employment education and training. DCF also partners with grantees to provide foster care services to children, including case planning, placement, life skills, and foster parent recruitment and training. DCF partners with organizations, communities, and other agencies to support families, children, and vulnerable adults, connecting them with resources, supports, and networks in their home communities.