TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) A group that connects Kansans who want to mentor youth with about 175 programs across the state says funding is available to help offset the cost of background checks.
The Kansas Department of Education says the Kansas Mentors program was awarded $100,000 from Volunteer Kansas last year. Nearly $60,000 is available to distribute this year to Kansas mentoring programs conducting Kansas Bureau of Investigation background checks on mentors.
Kansas State football coach Bill Snyder is the co-chairman of Kansas Mentors. He says Kansas’ mentoring programs are reporting significant declines in funding while demand for services increase.
He says the grant will “ensure more young Kansans have access to a safe and caring adult role model.”
