Kansas governor Laura Kelly has announced close to $8 million in grants for a number of domestic violence and sexual assault programs and for children’s advocacy centers.

The grants for 2021 are from the state’s general fund and from the grant program under the Federal Family Violence Prevention and Services Act.

Governor Kelly said in a press release that the coronavirus pandemic has kept people in their homes more than usual, and for some households it has caused increases in domestic violence and sexual assault.   She said it is hoped this funding will help provide support to those who need assistance and assurances of safety.

The funding includes $299,762 for the Wichita Area Sexual Assault Center, $214,856 for the Wichita Family Crisis Center, $192,661 for Catholic Charities and Harbor House, and $72,991 for StepStone.   Reno County’s BrightHouse program will get $146,276, and the Family Life Center in Butler County will get $95,625.    Harvey County’s Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Task force will receive $251,271.

Funding for children’s advocacy centers will include $115,586 for the Child Advocacy Center of Sedgwick County and $60,253 for the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Kansas.  The Sunlight Child Advocacy Center in Butler County will get $49,719 and the Horizons Mental Health Center in Reno County will receive $67,304.   The Heart to Heart program in Harvey County will receive $48,909.

The federal grant funding will include $83,383 for Catholic Charities and Harbor House in Sedgwick County, along with $95,880 for the Wichita Family Crisis Center.   The Family Life Center in Butler County will get $52,569 and Harvey County’s Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Task force will receive $52,556.     BrightHouse in Reno County will receive $55,583.

In all, the grants statewide add up to a total of $7,801,967.