Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Child Advocacy Centers Funding topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Child advocacy centers urge $2.7M ongoing; subcommittee restores reappropriations and recommends $2.7M for FY2027
Summary
Child advocacy centers and domestic violence providers asked the subcommittee to restore $1.7M in reappropriations and adopt $2.7M SGF in ongoing funding for FY2027 to meet increased demand from new DCF timelines; the panel approved a $199,332 SGF restoration for 2026 and recommended $2.7M ongoing for 2027.
Multiple child advocacy centers and service providers told the Legislative Subcommittee, Ways and Means that demand for forensic interviews and related services has increased and urged the committee to restore reappropriations and add ongoing SGF support.
Casey Dahlke, CEO of Kansas Children's Advocacy Centers, said the statewide association served 4,316 children and provided 6,892 services last year — a 13.6% increase — and asked for a $2,700,000 SGF enhancement to stabilize existing centers rather than create a new program: "We are requesting respectfully requesting a $2,700,000 state general fund enhancement," she said, adding that newer centers are operating on thin margins and risk closure without additional state support.
Judy Rodman, president and CEO of Sunflower House, highlighted a 152% increase in her prevention education program and said Sunflower House reached roughly 48,500 children and adults with prevention education last year; she described a 30% increase in forensic interviews at her center and the creation of a local task force addressing commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSAM/CSEC) for Johnson and Wyandotte counties.
Skyler of Ad Astra Advocacy Center, a new rural CAC serving Franklin and Miami counties, described operating on a limited budget since opening in September and said the center has provided 35 forensic interviews to date. Michelle McCormack of the Kansas Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence urged continued support for domestic violence prevention grants, noting the coalition's programs serve tens of thousands of Kansans and provide emergency shelter, hotlines and long-term services.
During recommendations, a subcommittee motion to add $199,332 SGF for FY2026 to restore reappropriated funding for child advocacy centers passed (moved by Senator Clamp and seconded by Senator Larry Alley). The panel then moved and approved a separate recommendation to add $2,700,000 SGF ongoing for FY2027 to address increased CAC demand after members cited House Bill 2,075, which requires DCF investigations within 24 hours and took effect July 1, 2025.
The committee advanced both recommendations; staff and the grants office will provide additional grantee-level breakdowns and performance data on request.
