November 3, 2022
Center for Advocacy, Response and Education awarded VOCA grant
The Center for Advocacy, Response and Education, or CARE, at Kansas State University has been awarded a more than $300,000 Federal Victims of Crime, or VOCA, grant to strengthen its services to victims/survivors of domestic, dating and sexual violence, sexual harassment and stalking. VOCA grants were awarded to 65 agencies in Kansas, including four in Riley County. K-State's award was the largest in Riley County.
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 eighth consecutive time the center has been awarded the funds.
"We are very proud to receive our eighth award of VOCA funding to better serve the students, staff, and faculty at K-State," said Justin Frederick, interim director of the Office of Institutional Equity and former supervisor of the CARE office. "Working with our new assistant director of the CARE office Stephanie Foran to submit a quality grant application was vital in receiving this award."
"CARE looks forward to providing students, staff, and faculty of K-State continued trauma-informed direct services. Without VOCA, CARE would not be able to offer the same level of quality direct services to our community," Foran said. "This funding will allow direct service advocates to attend regional and national training, which will further their expertise and further help serve K-State."
Goals for the new grant cycle include:
- Strengthening the quality of direct services to victims of domestic, dating and sexual violence, sexual harassment, and stalking for the Kansas State University campuses.
- Expanding outreach and direct advocacy services to crime victims in identified underserved communities on the Manhattan Kansas State campus.
- Ensuring that victims of crime, especially those without health insurance, can access quality therapy and mental health services both on and off 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.