Programs News

Topeka, Kansas- The Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) is making use of $11.5 Million in funding meant for the program, Temporary Assistance For Needy Families (TANF) to launch the 2Gen Kansas program.

The Department for Children and Families announced on Tuesday, March 19 that they are commencing with a new approach to improve the health, social, and economic outcomes of the next generation by making use of the TANF funding to launch the 2Gen Kansas program.

The DCF believes that this approach is meant to end intergenerational poverty and helps to move the whole family forward. The funding will be given to nearly ten organizations.

DCF Secretary Laura Howard said, “We believe this approach will build family well-being by intentionally and simultaneously working with children and the adults in their lives. This support will increase opportunities for families to become stable, and connected and empower them to progress towards their personal, educational, and career goals.”

According to the DCF, the agencies will serve as an access point by assisting families to apply for programs such as SNAP, Child care assistance, low-income energy assistance programs, and vocational rehabilitation services. They will be asked to participate in the ongoing training and collaborative meetings. They will also be recommending one parent to be served by organizations to serve on a statewide 2Gen parent advisory council.

Laura Howard said, “It will result in coordinated access to systems and structures that are necessary for families to thrive economically and socially.

The Managing Director of Ascend at the Aspen Institute Marjorie Sims believes that this family-centered mindset will not only boost the well-being of their children and their parents but also offer a model to integrate the support systems for these communities. From July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2026, the contracts will be in place and will have an option of renewal of one additional two-year grant. DCF has received 24 proposals so far. The community partners awarded grants by DCF includes:

• Sparkwheel
• O’Connell Children’s Shelter
• Children First
• Connections to Success
• KVC Behavioural Healthcare, Inc
• Mirror, Inc
• FosterAdopt Connect
• Kansas Alliance of Boys and Girls
• Mental Health Association of South Central Kansas, Inc
• International Rescue Committee

Besides this, here’s the information about the selected organizations:

Mental Health Association of South Central Kansas, Inc.- The service provisions of the Mental Health Association of South Central Kansas include familial case management, parental and familial education, and family mentoring. The organization will track outcomes for children along with the goals focusing on the entire family.

KVC Behavioral Healthcare, Inc., 2Gen Program- This organization will provide one-on-one, in-home, virtual, and group interventions to families with resources to address the risk factors leading to poverty. The entire family will be assessed by a family navigator who connects families to the services they need.

FosterAdopt Connect, Kinship Navigator Program- The program strives to combat intergenerational poverty by supporting relatives and kin taking placement of children. The project aims to take advantage of the increasing population in Kansas and provide kinship navigator services and financial assistance.

Children First- Children’s First program will impact both children and parents living in poverty through a three-generation approach and services. Senior citizens will encourage and follow families in their journey out of poverty. The families experiencing the housing crisis and poverty will be given the top priority.

Mirror, Inc., Work for Success Program- The Work for Success program will aid in the formation and maintenance of two-parent families by providing training on healthy relationship skills, and educational activities for families along with personal and professional development courses.