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Children’s Cabinet conditionally approves $22.57 million FY27 early childhood block grant slate
Summary
The Kansas Children’s Cabinet voted to approve a recommended Early Childhood Block Grant slate totaling $22,566,958.24 for fiscal year 2027, a roughly 2.5% reduction from FY26; approval is conditional on the state budget becoming law and final tobacco-settlement annuity figures.
The Kansas Children’s Cabinet approved its recommended FY27 Early Childhood Block Grant (ECBG) slate at the April meeting, provisionally awarding $22,566,958.24 across 25 existing grantees.
Staff explained the ECBG is a statewide competitive, community-driven RFP intended to increase access to services for children birth to 5 and their families. The recommended slate does not add new recipients this year and reflects approximately a 2.5% reduction from last year’s slate.
Why it matters: the ECBG funds programs that serve priority populations and are intended to fill gaps not covered by other federal or state funding. With demand exceeding supply—44 applications requested about $32 million—board members pressed staff on how awards were prioritized and what program partners and evaluation requirements mean for implementation.
Key details: staff reported the recommended slate reaches about 61 counties and proposed either flat funding or partial adjustments for most grantees; one program took a significant cut and one new proposed program was omitted. The RFP requires a 15% match (minimum 5% cash) and participation in the common measures evaluation conducted with a university partner; staff said numbers such as estimated children and families served will be finalized in legal agreements.
Board questions focused on three areas: whether grant applicants would have qualified if more funding were available, how named community partners affect service delivery and evaluation, and how programs reported families served (some lines in applications showed zero families due to the nature of the service). Staff said they will refine counts during contract negotiation and emphasized that grants are supplemental and subject to budget conditions including the governor’s signature and confirmation of tobacco settlement annuity amounts.
The motion to approve the FY27 ECBG funding slate was made by Tabitha Rosebroy and seconded by Diana Sykes; the board voted by voice and the motion carried. Staff noted grantees would receive conditional approval notices and that funds will be finalized once budget and annuity details are complete.
