TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly announced on Monday over $1.5 million for 20 organizations to support efforts aimed at preventing family, domestic, and dating violence, providing critical services to survivors of domestic violence, and increasing safe parenting time for noncustodial parents with their children. This funding comes from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) and the State Access and Visitation Program (SAVP).

The FVPSA grant funds enable organizations to deliver a wide range of services. These services include outreach and education aimed at preventing family violence, emergency shelter for victims and their dependents, support groups, crisis intervention services, advocacy for obtaining protection from abuse orders, court accompaniment, and transportation assistance. The funding also supports initiatives to spread awareness to schools, communities, and families on how to stop violence before it begins.

The SAVP grant funds provide critical funding to support children and families in need of supervised exchange or visitation services. They also enable programs to offer on-site as well as therapeutic supervision, monitored exchanges, referrals to additional resources, and educational parenting classes designed to strengthen family relationships.

A total of $1,442,065 in FVPSA grant funds was awarded to 20 agencies.

Included in the total was $51,920.00 for Liberal Area Rape Crisis/Domestic Violence Services