Family Life Center Safe House presents services, seeks special-alcohol-tax funding

Angela McClure, executive director of the Family Life Center Safe House, told the City Council that the agency — operating about 35 years and accredited with the Kansas Coalition Shelter and Domestic Violence Board (KCSDB) — provides emergency shelter, court advocacy, police-response advocates, community education and rapid rehousing for survivors of domestic and sexual violence.

“ We provide court advocacy to individuals who are seeking a protection order ... we do hundreds of those a year,” McClure said, describing court support and criminal-case advocacy. She said the agency can transport survivors for forensic exams and provides a 24/7 police-response advocate.

McClure said the Safe House had applied to the city for funding through the special alcohol tax and that the agency receives some HUD funding used for rapid rehousing and stabilization. She said the Safe House’s targeted coverage originally began in Butler County and in the past four years has expanded to Greenwood, Elk and Chautauqua counties, though the agency will assist people statewide as needed.

Councilmembers thanked McClure and asked questions about the agency’s service area and school presentations; McClure said the agency actively solicits school invitations and adapts age-appropriate prevention curricula for students from pre-K to college.