December 9, 2021
Center for Advocacy, Response and Education awarded VOCA grant for seventh consecutive year
Submitted by Communications and Marketing
The Center for Advocacy, Response and Education, or CARE, at Kansas State University has been awarded a more than $325,000 Federal Victims of Crime, or VOCA, grant to strengthen its services to victims/survivors of domestic, dating and sexual violence, sexual harassment and stalking.
The VOCA Fund was created by Congress in 1984 to provide federal support to state and local programs that assist victims of crime. This is the seventh consecutive time the center has been awarded the funds.
"VOCA has been an enormous help in the CARE office's ability to confidentially respond to the emotional, psychological, and physical needs of survivors at K-State," said Clara Valadares Kientz, director of the CARE office. "We are so grateful to again be receiving this award. Confidential, direct advocacy services for survivors of sexual, dating, or domestic violence, stalking, and sexual harassment are vital on any college campus. We are fortunate to be a recipient and will continue to leverage every resource and prioritize trauma-informed support for survivors."
Goals for the new grant cycle include:
• Strengthen the quality of direct services to victims of domestic, dating and sexual violence, sexual harassment and stalking for the K-State campuses.
• Expand outreach and services to crime victims in identified underserved communities on the Manhattan campus.
• Increase and enforce consistency and quality of direct services on the Manhattan campus.
As part of the grant, the center received $30,000 to provide mental health assistance to survivors through the CARE Healing Fund. The fund assists survivors in receiving affordable mental health services at on or off-campus agencies. Survivors who have experienced direct trauma and secondary trauma can access these funds.
CARE advocates are available to meet with K-State students, faculty and staff members who have experienced sexual violence, dating or domestic violence, stalking or sexual harassment. Advocates offer confidential support and aid survivors in exploring their options. For more information or to set up an appointment call 785-532-6444 or email ksucare@k-state.edu.