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City council OKs $1.1 million CSBG application to fund employment, prescription aid and youth summer programs
Summary
Council approved the Wichita-Sedgwick County Community Services Block Grant application for 2025, authorizing $1,104,352.03 in funding and programming that includes employment services, prescription assistance through Project Access, and the Way to Work youth employment program.
The Wichita City Council unanimously approved the 2025 Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) application and authorized the city to sign and submit the application to the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC).
Michelle Williams, program coordinator for the Wichita‑Sedgwick County Community Action Partnership (WISCAP) housing and community service division, told council the 2025 CSBG allocation makes Wichita the largest recipient in Kansas this year because of need and census‑track data. The CSBG review committee recommended a total grant application of $1,104,352.03.
Williams summarized major program elements: staffing support (four city positions including the program coordinator and three family‑development specialists), a $200,000 allocation for prescription assistance passed through to Project Access (serving an estimated 700 uninsured residents), $190,000 for employment training and certifications (CNA, CDL and similar), $50,000 for summer camp scholarships to support about 75 youth, and roughly $41,000 to increase youth wages in the Way to Work summer employment program (raising pay to $9.21 hourly and providing up to 20 hours per week).
She said the CSBG committee expects the program to assist about 275 eligible individuals directly and that Project Access expects to serve roughly 700 uninsured citizens with prescription support. Williams said the program received 297 applications this year for youth positions and that partner organizations including Wichita State, Sedgwick County and the Wichita workforce center help host training, placements and workshops.
Councilmember questions clarified that four city positions would be funded and that the Way to Work youth wage is $9.21 per hour. The Law Department reviewed the funding agreement as to form, and the council voted 7–0 to approve the application and authorize signatures.
Staff will submit the application to KHRC by the stated deadline and administer program funds if the grant is awarded.
